Utah Judge Unseals ATF Ballistics Report in Tyler Robinson Case

A Utah judge has unsealed a ballistics report from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk. The report stated that it could not conclusively match a deformed bullet jacket fragment and four lead fragments to the suspected murder weapon.

30-06 cartridge case was fired from the rifle identified as the suspected weapon.

Prosecutors have stated that separate testing found DNA consistent with Robinson's on the gun, a towel, and three of the four rounds inside it. The report's conclusions were previously disclosed in court proceedings, but the full document is now publicly available and includes additional details. The tested materials were part of an exhibit in a defense motion filed on January 9.

Court Proceedings and Ruling

The defense motion, filed under seal, requested that the judge prevent further government testing until a defense expert could examine and photograph the evidence.

Judge Tony Graf ruled there was no basis to keep the filing classified, as it did not contain private or inflammatory information. An appendix in the ATF report explained that inconclusive findings indicate insufficient quality or quantity of individual characteristics to identify or exclude a match.

Two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News that the ATF could not match the bullet to the rifle because it hit bone and broke on impact upon striking Kirk's body.

Experts stated this outcome is not uncommon. Retired FBI supervisory agent Jason Pack said the inconclusive finding is not a win for the defense but a gap the prosecution is addressing with FBI assistance using more advanced technology.

Details of

the Incident Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September 2025.

According to reports, he allegedly climbed to a rooftop across the courtyard from where Kirk was speaking and fired a single shot from a Mauser rifle that belonged to his grandfather. Video footage shows the bullet struck Kirk in the neck in front of approximately 3,000 people.

Prosecutors have reported that campus police found marks on the gravel rooftop consistent with a person in a prone shooting position, including impressions potentially left by elbows, knees, and feet.

Police recovered the rifle wrapped in a blanket in woods near the campus. 30-caliber class, consistent with Robinson's rifle, though not enough for a conclusive match.

Expert Commentary and Case Status

“It is not a win for the defense.”

" — Jason Pack (New York Post) Pack added that ballistics are rarely the only evidence in homicide cases, and the inconclusive finding applied only to the fragment, not the casing or the rifle found near the scene. He stated that the defense is protecting their client's ability to challenge evidence, which is standard practice and not a sign of a weak prosecution case.

Pack further noted that the case is far from trial, and the public should avoid drawing conclusions from a single pre-trial motion.