Kirk Assassin Charged, Facing Death Penalty

The suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting was charged with aggravated murder, which could carry the death penalty if convicted, Utah law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said the state is filing seven charges against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old arrested in the state’s investigation into Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University last week. Those charges include discharging a firearm and obstruction of justice, and Gray said he intends to seek the death penalty.

“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Gray said. “Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights.”

Robinson’s political motivation for the attack exacerbated the degree of some of the charges, including adding aggravating factors to the murder charge, Gray said.

Robinson made his first virtual court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Gray shared new details from the investigation into Kirk’s killing, including details from interviews with Robinson’s parents, text messages sent by the 22-year-old following the shooting, and items found in the search of his home.

Robinson’s parents told Utah law enforcement they’d seen him “lean more to the left” and advocate for gay and transgender Americans. Gray said Robinson’s father spoke to him after the shooting to urge him to turn himself in, and the two talked about Robinson’s motive for carrying out the attack.

“When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there is too much evil and the guy, referring to Charlie Kirk, spreads too much hate,” Gray said.

During the press conference in Provo, Utah, Gray read aloud text message exchanges between Robinson and his roommate, a transgender woman who was also in a romantic relationship with Robinson. The messages detailed Robinson’s thinking in the hours after the shooting, his attempts to retrieve the weapon he is alleged to have used, and his decision to turn himself into the police.

Gray said law enforcement found etchings on bullet cases in Robinson’s home similar to those found at the crime scene.

While the state’s charges do not preclude Robinson from facing federal criminal charges, it’s unclear whether the Department of Justice will also take action against Robinson. The FBI assisted the investigation, although FBI Director Kash Patel received some criticism for sharing details of the investigation, creating confusion about its status in the days following the shooting.

Gray suggested Patel sharing investigation details publicly could hamper the state’s criminal case.

“As attorneys, we typically like to control that information, to preserve an impartial jury and a fair trial,” he said.