Tyler Robinson, 22, is facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence for Charlie Kirk's murder at Utah Valley University on September 10. An ATF summary of the forensic report, part of documents filed by the defense in January, was unsealed by a judge on Wednesday. The defense revealed in a recent court filing that the ATF was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Robinson.
Forensic analysis of bullet fragments showed one bullet jacket fragment recovered from Kirk's autopsy matched a .30 caliber class bullet. Four other lead bullet fragments were recovered from Kirk's autopsy. According to the ATF lab, the bullet jacket fragment was described as a '.30-caliber class deformed/damaged bullet jacket fragment.' The Mauser 98 30-06 rifle recovered near the scene is the same caliber (.30 caliber) as the bullet jacket fragment.
Prosecutors claim the Mauser 98 30-06 rifle was allegedly used by Robinson to kill Kirk. Authorities say Robinson received the Mauser 98 30-06 rifle as a gift from his grandfather. The rifle recovered near the scene was tested and found operable. The recovered cartridge case bears a 'Remington headstamp' designating its proper caliber for the rifle.
The ATF lab described the item as a '.30-caliber class deformed/damaged bullet jacket fragment.'
Cartridge case evidence examined by the ATF includes the 30-06 rifle recovered near the scene, a 30-06 Springfield caliber cartridge case, and three 30-06 Springfield caliber cartridges. ATF investigators identified the cartridge case as having been fired in the 'Exhibit 1 rifle', the alleged murder weapon. Evidence uncovered by the ATF demonstrates that the bullet matching the caliber of Robinson's rifle, plus a confirmed match with the spent casing, offers a fuller picture of the alleged murder weapon.
Limitations in forensic evidence emerged as an examiner noted the remaining bullet jacket fragment could not be conclusively linked or excluded as having been fired by Robinson's specific gun because it was too damaged. The report does not exclude the possibility that the bullet fragments were fired from Robinson's gun. It remains unclear what specific forensic tests were conducted on the bullet fragments beyond caliber matching.
The new information is a blow to Robinson's defense, according to multiple reports. Robinson's defense continues efforts to stop further testing on the bullet jacket fragment, though the legal argument for this move has not been publicly detailed. Robinson has not yet entered a plea in response to the capital murder charges, and the timeline for trial and potential sentencing remains undetermined. Besides the firearm and bullet fragments, other evidence being presented by the prosecution has not been fully disclosed.