January 1, BOMBSHELL DNA Evidence Links Second Man to Charlie Kirk Assassination Weapon

Wyatt’s Take

• DNA from both Tyler Robinson AND his former lover Lance Twiggs found on the towel that wrapped the murder weapon used to assassinate conservative champion Charlie Kirk
• Robinson allegedly confessed to the killing in handwritten notes and texts to Twiggs, who lived with him and is now cooperating with investigators but hasn’t been charged
• The suspect’s preliminary hearing reveals mounting physical evidence including surveillance footage, the rifle wrapped in that towel, and a screwdriver—all tying Robinson to the September 2025 shooting at a Turning Point USA campus event

Physical evidence recovered from the woods near Utah Valley University has allegedly placed not one but two men at the center of the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation. Tyler Robinson, 23, stands accused of murdering the 31-year-old conservative activist during a Turning Point USA event on September 10, 2025. But DNA testing has now linked both Robinson and his former roommate Lance Twiggs to key pieces of evidence.

Investigators found a dark towel and a screwdriver during their search of the campus grounds following the shooting. The towel allegedly concealed the suspected murder weapon—a modified Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle. Both items tested positive for DNA from Robinson and Twiggs.

Sgt. Jennifer Faumuina with the State Bureau of Investigations led the evidence response team that processed the scene. She testified at Robinson’s preliminary hearing this week that her team recovered the screwdriver from the Losee Center rooftop, the location where prosecutors say Robinson fired the fatal shot. The rifle, wrapped in that towel, was found nearby.

The weapon had been retrofitted to fire .30-06 rounds, matching the caliber of bullet fragments recovered during Kirk’s autopsy.

FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker took the stand Tuesday and explained that Robinson appears to be the majority DNA donor on both the towel and screwdriver. Twiggs is believed to be the minority contributor on both items.

Twiggs hasn’t been charged with any crime and is cooperating with investigators. Robinson allegedly confessed to the killing in handwritten notes and text messages sent to Twiggs, who was his roommate at the time of the shooting. The presence of Twiggs’ DNA on the evidence is expected to bolster the prosecution’s case—showing Robinson shared details of his plans with someone who can now testify against him.

The preliminary hearing, which began Monday, is expected to continue through the week. Prosecutors must establish probable cause for Judge Tony Graf Jr. to advance the case to trial. Robinson faces multiple charges including aggravated murder, which carries the potential death penalty in Utah.

David Hull of the Utah Department of Public Safety returned to the witness stand Tuesday as prosecutors played surveillance footage. The video allegedly shows Robinson moving around campus before and after the shooting, including footage of him arriving and leaving in his Dodge Challenger.

Defense attorney Michael Burt subjected Bakker to lengthy questioning about DNA analysis methods, prompting multiple objections from prosecutor Ryan McBride. At one point, Judge Graf asked Burt how much longer his line of questioning would continue.

“I’ll hold them to that,” McBride said after Burt promised just one more question, drawing laughter from the courtroom.

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika sat in the gallery watching the proceedings intently. She shook her head at one point during Burt’s questioning and leaned forward as Bakker explained DNA marker graphs. Kirk’s father occasionally took notes. A member of Robinson’s family yawned during the technical testimony.

Robinson has not yet entered a plea. Legal experts say prosecutors are all but certain to establish probable cause at this preliminary hearing.

“Barring the prosecutor somehow forgetting how to get to the courthouse, there’s no realistic chance the state fails to establish probable cause,” Maryland attorney Randolph Rice told reporters Tuesday.

Why It Matters

Charlie Kirk built Turning Point USA into a powerhouse organization inspiring young Americans to embrace conservative values and defend freedom on college campuses across the nation. His assassination while speaking to students represents an attack not just on one man, but on the entire movement he championed. The evidence mounting against his accused killer shows justice moving forward—but it can never restore what was stolen from his family and from a generation of young conservatives who looked to him for leadership and hope.