Robert Hild Jr. filed a civil complaint on Monday, September 18, 2026, in the Utah District Court, alleging that Candace Owens falsely portrayed him as involved in the fatal assault on Charlie Kirk that unfolded on September 10, 2026, at Utah Valley University. Hild, who was a spectator at the event, claims Owens used social‑media photos of him with a friend to insinuate a connection to the shooter, Tyler Robinson, and even suggested ties to a Ukrainian military group linked to neo‑Nazis.
Hild says he repeatedly requested a retraction, but Owens declined to withdraw the allegations. He further alleges that her podcast spread the defamatory narrative, leading to personal threats, vandalism of his home and vehicle, and law‑enforcement advisement that he and his roommates should leave the property. The lawsuit cites FBI images of Robinson on the UVU campus and the chaotic aftermath that Hild says misrepresented him.
The complaint seeks $5 million in damages for reputational harm and a public correction. It also demands that Owens cease future defamation. The court has scheduled a preliminary hearing for November 14, 2026, where the judge will decide whether the case merits a full trial.
Hild, a private citizen who has been building a quiet life, said the allegations forced him to relocate with his family and endure constant harassment. "I was just trying to live my life," he told reporters, adding that the defamation had turned his world upside down.