Engraved Bullet Shows Kirk Was Targeted for Politics, Prosecutors Say

Prosecutors in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk have filed new court documents pointing to an engraved bullet as evidence that the defendant was motivated by political animus. The inscription on the bullet, which reads "Hey Facist! CATCH!", was found in the suspected murder weapon, according to the filing.

The question of political motivation is central to whether Tyler Robinson, 23, could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors are seeking to establish aggravating factors, including political targeting and the risk posed to thousands of attendees at Kirk's September 10 event at Utah Valley University.

Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder and has not yet entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after the shooting.

The new filing also cites a text message in which Robinson allegedly wrote about Kirk: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out." Defense attorneys have argued that this message is insufficient to prove political motivation.

Prosecutors also referenced a handwritten note allegedly left by Robinson for his roommate, Lance Twiggs, which read in part: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it." They noted that Kirk's opposition to same-sex marriage and gender-affirming care contrasted with Twiggs, who had reportedly considered a gender transition around the time of the killing.

In a recorded interview, Twiggs said he had never heard Robinson talk about Kirk before the shooting, and that Robinson rarely discussed gender issues or LGBTQ+ rights, though he did sometimes talk about politics, including Trump.

The case follows a five-day preliminary hearing in July, during which prosecutors presented DNA evidence linking Robinson to the murder weapon and an engraving tool. Defense attorneys have questioned the reliability of that evidence.

Judge Tony Graf has scheduled a hearing for September 1 to decide whether the case will proceed to trial.