Utah officer says he found apparent 'sniper pad' after Charlie Kirk shooting

PROVO, UTAH: A police officer from Utah Valley University told a court on Monday that he found what appeared to him to be a 'sniper pad' on the roof of the building from which prosecutors say the fatal shot that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fired.

The testimony came at a preliminary hearing in a packed courtroom in Provo, where prosecutors are seeking to persuade District Court Judge Tony Graf that there is probable cause to put Tyler Robinson, 23, on trial. Robinson is accused of driving about four hours from his hometown of Washington, Utah, and killing Kirk, 31, on September 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty. Robinson, who was studying to become an electrician, faces seven criminal charges, including aggravated murder.

Kirk was a co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA and was credited with helping mobilise young voters behind Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election campaign. Reuters reported that Donald Trump Jr. attended the hearing, while right-wing activist Jack Posobiec was also seen entering the courthouse. Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, sat only a short distance from Robinson during Monday's proceedings, and members of Robinson's family were also present. Robinson, wearing a grey jacket, sat between his lawyers and took notes.

Officer describes scene after shooting

Chris Bagley, who was serving with the university police force on the day of the shooting and was called as the prosecution's first witness, told the court that he saw Kirk being shot as the activist was answering a question before a large crowd.

"He was answering a question, and then I heard a shot fired. Everybody started getting up and starting to run in a sort of chaotic, panic situation," Bagley testified.

He said he saw Kirk slump to the left after the shot was fired. Bagley also told the court that an early report indicated a suspect had been detained, but that information later proved incorrect.

According to Bagley, he then ran to the campus building from which he believed the shot had come and climbed four flights of stairs to the roof. There, he said, he found a screwdriver and marks in the gravel, with photographs of the area later entered into evidence. He said the impressions appeared to have been made by elbows, knees and feet.

"To me it looks like a sniper pad," Bagley told the court.

He further said campus police video showed a person on the roof positioning himself to fire at Kirk, taking a shot, and then moving to the building's northeast side. That person then dropped from the roof into the grass below and escaped, Bagley said.

Questions over event security

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Kathryn Nester asked Bagley about security arrangements at the event. He said six campus police officers were on duty in addition to Kirk's own security detail, but there were no metal detector checks for firearms.

Bagley also testified that he saw an empty pistol holster on the ground at the upper end of the courtyard where Kirk was shot, but said it was neither collected as evidence nor examined for fingerprints. He now works for another police department.

If the judge determines that probable cause exists, Robinson could enter a plea at an arraignment as early as the same day, after which the case would be scheduled for trial at a later stage.