A Provo courtroom heard startling new forensic details this week as prosecutors continued building their case against the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Genetic material belonging to Tyler Robinson’s former roommate, identified in court only by the surname Twiggs, was recovered from evidence tied directly to the September 10, 2025 shooting at Utah Valley University, according to sworn testimony given during the second day of Robinson’s preliminary hearing.
Utah Department of Public Safety Sergeant Jennifer Faumina, who worked with the State Bureau of Investigation when the shooting occurred, delivered the findings from the witness stand Tuesday, reading directly from an official forensic report.
Two specific pieces of evidence anchored her testimony: a screwdriver recovered from atop the Losee Center for Student Success, and a towel investigators say had been wrapped around the rifle used in the attack.
According to Faumina’s sworn reading of the report, forensic analysts determined that “Male DNA was obtained from item 7-1. Item 7-1 was interpreted as originating from two individuals, one of whom is Twiggs.”
A nearly identical finding applied to the second item. Faumina told the courtroom: “Male DNA was obtained from item eight sub one. Item eight sub one was interpreted as originating from two individuals, one of whom is Twiggs.”
Court officials confirmed those two exhibits corresponded to the rooftop screwdriver and the rifle towel — both central to the prosecution’s theory of how the shooting was carried out.
Amanda Bakker, a forensic analyst with the FBI, offered additional testimony regarding the case’s genetic evidence. Her findings reportedly tied both Robinson and Twiggs to the towel discovered near the weapon.
Attorneys representing Robinson have challenged the strength of the DNA findings, casting doubt on their reliability as the defense mounts its response to the state’s case.
Testimony regarding the screwdriver traces back to Officer Chris Bagley, who served on the Utah Valley University police force at the time of the shooting and was the one who physically located the tool.
According to Bagley’s earlier account, the screwdriver was found on the same rooftop where prosecutors allege the shooter fired the fatal round. He also pointed investigators to indentations pressed into the gravel, describing the marks as resembling a “sniper’s pad.”
Those impressions, Bagley testified, appeared to match the shape of a person positioned flat on the ground in a prone stance — a detail prosecutors say supports their theory of a planned, elevated attack.
The rooftop itself offered a direct, unobstructed sightline down to the area where Kirk stood addressing the crowd at the Turning Point USA event, according to statements made by prosecutors during the hearing.
Jurors also viewed surveillance footage that prosecutors say documents Robinson’s path across campus in the hours surrounding the shooting, including video allegedly showing him positioned on the Losee Center roof.
Additional footage cited by the state reportedly captured a vehicle linked to Robinson departing campus grounds shortly after the attack took place.
Though he has not been charged with any crime, Twiggs has become an increasingly prominent name throughout the proceedings, appearing repeatedly in both physical evidence and witness testimony.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson sent Twiggs a written confession in the aftermath of the shooting, a claim expected to be explored further as the hearing continues.
Court officials say a previously recorded statement from Twiggs will be played for the court at some point during the weeklong hearing, potentially offering additional insight into his connection to the case.
Robinson himself has not entered a plea. He faces an aggravated murder charge along with several other felony counts, and prosecutors have confirmed they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
The latest round of DNA testimony represents one of the most significant developments so far in the case, formally tying Twiggs’ genetic profile to both the alleged murder weapon and the rooftop location believed to be the shooter’s perch.
Proceedings are expected to resume throughout the week as prosecutors continue presenting forensic and eyewitness evidence against Robinson.
