The charges against Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, have been formally announced.
Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative media figure and supporter of the MAGA movement, was tragically killed by a single gunshot while he was speaking at an event held at Utah Valley University on September 10.
The 31-year-old was on the first stop of his ‘American Comeback Tour’, an initiative organized by Turning Point USA, an organization he co-founded and where he served as executive director.
Kirk was addressing a question concerning transgender shooters when he was suddenly shot in the neck during his speech.
Following an extensive nationwide search, Tyler Robinson, a resident of Utah, was apprehended on September 12.
Robinson, who is 22 years old, now faces seven charges, which include aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
The specific charges are listed as follows:
In a press conference today (September 16), Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced that prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
“I do not take this decision lightly,” he stated, also noting that Robinson will remain in jail without the possibility of bail.
Robinson had been held in custody on charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, according to a document filed with Utah County Jail.
Authorities reported that Robinson was captured after receiving a tip-off from his Republican father, although other family members argue that the authorities ‘have the wrong man’.
Immediately following the assassination, chaos ensued as attendees at the college event screamed and scrambled for safety. Video footage captured an individual dressed in black running across a nearby rooftop.
The FBI later confirmed that a high-powered bolt-action rifle was found in the woods along the path they believed the shooter took when fleeing the scene.
Grainy surveillance images of the main suspect were released, depicting a slim young man of college age wearing a cap and sunglasses, lurking in the campus stairwell.
Authorities believe the attack was ‘targeted’ and that the gunman acted alone, shooting from a rooftop position.
Charges arose after an account allegedly linked to Robinson joked online about the assassination, and DNA evidence found at the crime scene also suggested his involvement.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed that DNA was discovered on a screwdriver found on the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired, as well as on a towel reportedly used to wrap the discarded rifle.
Bullet casings with notes such as ‘hey fascist’ and ‘catch’ were also retrieved from the scene.
Publicized images of the suspect led friends on Discord to see a resemblance, but the alleged killer dismissed it as a ‘doppelganger’.
When another Discord user joked about turning Robinson in for the FBI’s $100,000 reward, he allegedly responded: “Only if I get a cut.”
Patel later revealed a significant note, apparently found ‘destroyed’ in Robinson’s home, which read: “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Hours before his arrest, Robinson reportedly confessed to the crime to his friends on Discord, stating his intention to surrender.
He is believed to have written: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.
“I’m surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox mentioned that Robinson is not cooperating with authorities, but his roommate is.
Cox added that the young man had become ‘deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,’ despite his Republican background.
FBI Director Kash Patel is also likely to be questioned by Congress regarding his handling of the investigation.