Utah Judge Issues Protective Order For Erika Kirk Against Accused Killer
A Utah judge has issued a protective order barring the man accused of assassinating conservative leader Charlie Kirk from contacting his widow while awaiting trial on capital murder charges.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, is being held without bail in the Utah County Jail after prosecutors filed multiple felony counts tied to the Sept. 10 ambush at Utah Valley University. Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed this week that Robinson has been formally charged and that the state will seek the death penalty if convicted.
The pretrial order, filed Tuesday, designates Erika Kirk—Charlie’s widow—as an “alleged victim” and forbids Robinson from harassing, stalking, threatening, or otherwise attempting contact with her. Violating the order could result in additional felony charges.
“It’s not only to protect the person in question from direct harm or direct access,” county spokesperson Richard Piatt explained. “But [also] if someone has indirect access, or directs somebody else to do it.”
Fourth District Judge Tony F. Graf granted the measure during Robinson’s initial court appearance.
Erika Kirk’s Defiant Message
In the days after the murder of her husband, Erika Kirk delivered a powerful message of faith and resolve.
“The evil-doers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done,” she said during a livestream. “They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God’s merciful love. They should all know this: If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country.”
She later vowed that her late husband’s legacy—and Turning Point USA’s mission—would not only endure but grow stronger.
“Our campus tour this fall will continue,” she declared. “There will be even more tours in the years to come. AmericaFest here in Phoenix this December will go on. It will be greater than ever. The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of will go on. And in a world filled with chaos, doubt and uncertainty, my husband’s voice will remain. And it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever. And his wisdom will endure.”
Turning Point USA confirmed that its “American Comeback Tour” will resume on Sept. 30 at Utah State University in Logan—just 120 miles from the site of the assassination. Robinson himself briefly attended USU in 2021.
Prosecutors Detail Evidence Against Robinson
County Attorney Gray said Robinson now faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Gray outlined the forensic evidence gathered by investigators. A bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel was discovered in a wooded area where surveillance footage had tracked Robinson fleeing campus after the shooting. The weapon contained one spent round and three live rounds.
“DNA consistent with the defendant was found on the trigger, other parts of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two of the three unfired cartridges, and the towel,” Gray confirmed.
Robinson is scheduled to appear virtually in court for a hearing at 3 p.m. MT, where the charges will be read aloud and legal representation confirmed.