A Utah TV investigation has uncovered that surveillance footage reportedly showing Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson turning himself in at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office no longer exists and was never shared with the lead investigators, raising fresh questions about evidence handling in the high-profile assassination case.

Sheriff: Robinson Brought In, But No Entry Video

During a press conference on September 17, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby explained, “Our task was simply to bring him in, not to conduct interviews.” He noted that “within an hour, my associate had transported Tyler and his parents to my office, where plainclothes detectives awaited them.” Following this announcement, KUTV 2News Investigates submitted requests for public records, seeking footage of Robinson’s arrival at the facility or any recordings from the holding area.

The sheriff’s department responded that there were “no records responsive” to the request because “Tyler Robinson did not enter the jail premises.” Additionally, officials stated that more general surveillance footage of his entry into the sheriff’s office was “no longer available after the 30-day retention period.”

When questioned about whether the video had been shared with other law enforcement or legal entities, the office confirmed, “it was never sent out to any agency,” indicating that Utah County prosecutors handling Robinson’s case never received it.

Rudy Bautista, a criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years of experience in capital cases in Utah, told 2News, “For the state of Utah, we would certainly hope that this video is available.” He expressed concerns, stating, “If it has indeed been destroyed and not kept, it’s very troubling.” Bautista argued that if the video no longer existed locally, he would have expected officials to confirm it had at least “been provided to the Utah County law enforcement.”

Bautista emphasized that footage of Robinson turning himself in would be “vital for the defense’s mitigation efforts.” He criticized the response letter, suggesting it aimed to “close the door and restrict press access.” He also reiterated his opinion that, considering the circumstances—one shot from a Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle and minimal threat to others—the aggravated murder charge carrying a death penalty was “very weak” and “clearly political.”

No one knows whether the video… pic.twitter.com/eRYLR7ki7b

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) November 20, 2025

Defense Attorney Calls Missing Video ‘Very Concerning’

Criminal defense attorney Rudy Bautista, who has more than two decades of capital-case experience in Utah, told 2News that “for the state of Utah, we would certainly hope that this video is available.” He said, “If in fact it has been destroyed and not preserved, it’s very concerning,” and argued that if it no longer existed locally he would have expected officials to say it had at least “been provided to the Utah County law enforcement.”

Bautista said video of Robinson surrendering would be “crucial for the defense work of mitigation,” and criticized the response letter as “trying to shut the door and not give you free access to the press.” He also reiterated his view that, given a single round from a Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle and the limited risk to others, the aggravated murder death-penalty posture in the Kirk case is “really weak” and “clearly political.”

Commentator: ‘We Don’t Know Anything’ Without Footage

Liberty Lockdown host Clint Russell seized on the revelations about the missing surveillance video, arguing that without the footage, public claims about how Robinson came into custody are on shaky ground. “The surveillance footage of him turning himself in, uh, disappeared,” Russell said, adding, “We don’t have any actual proof that that’s even what happened. We don’t have any proof that his family actually turned him in or that it was, you know, against his will or that he didn’t walk in there alone or anything. We don’t know anything.”

Russell mocked those insisting Robinson’s surrender proves his guilt, noting that he has pleaded not guilty and saying critics “don’t” mention the missing video. “I am at least open about what I do and don’t know,” he said. “What I don’t know is who killed Charlie Kirk. Guess what? You don’t either.”

Clint Russell dismantles Jack Posobiec for peddling that lazy “his parents turned him in, so he’s the killer” bullshit about Tyler Robinson. pic.twitter.com/6XsYEp9Jrm

— Ethan Fowler (@EthanFowler32) December 13, 2025