Charlie Kirk shooting suspect formally charged with murder as prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty

The suspect in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has been formally charged with murder in the death of the 31-year-old conservative activist, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, last week.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with seven counts: aggravated murder, discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice (two counts), witness tampering (two counts) and a violent offense committed in the presence of a child, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Robinson appeared in a brief virtual court hearing a few hours later. He sat silently as the judge spent several minutes detailing the charges against him. The judge also said he would appoint a court-ordered attorney to represent Robinson. His next court date was set for Sept. 29.

The aggravated murder charge makes Robinson eligible for the death penalty under Utah law. Gray said that the state will seek it in this case.

“Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights,” Gray said. “The bedrock of our democratic republic: the free exchange of ideas in a search for truth, understanding and a more perfect union.”

Robinson turned himself in to police in Washington County, Utah, near his home in St. George on Sept. 11, the day after Kirk’s killing. He is being held without bail.

Charging documents offer new details

According to court documents filed by the Utah County Attorney’s Office, DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of a bolt-action rifle recovered near the crime scene. In an appearance on Fox & Friends Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel had said that DNA matching that of the suspect was found on a towel wrapped around the rifle as well as on a screwdriver that was found on the rooftop where authorities believe the fatal shot was fired.

The rifle contained one spent round and three unspent rounds, according to the charging documents. All were etched with various messages.

In an interview with police after he turned himself in, Robinson’s mother told police that she saw the photo of the suspect released by authorities the day after the shooting and thought the shooter looked like her son. “Robinson’s mother called her son and asked him where he was,” the charging documents state. “He said he was at home sick and that he had also been at home sick on September 10th. Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspected shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed.”

Robinson’s mother also told police that “over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left — becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” the documents say. “She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views.”

“In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robinson said was a ‘stupid venue’ for the event,” the documents state, adding that Robinson “accused Kirk of spreading hate.”

Robinson’s parents said that when they spoke with their son, he “implied that he planned to take his own life,” but they were able to convince him to meet at their home.

“As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it,” the documents state. “When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there is too much evil and the guy [Charlie Kirk] spreads too much hate.”

Suspect confessed in text messages with roommate, police say

According to the charging documents, police interviewed Robinson’s roommate, who provided investigators with text messages from the suspect.

On Sept. 10, the day of the shooting, Robinson sent a text message telling his roommate to look under his keyboard. The roommate found a note that stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Police were given a photograph of the note.

That led to a text message exchange, police say, in which Robinson confessed to the killing:

Roommate: “What?????????????? You’re joking, right????”

Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.

Roommate: you weren’t the one who did it right????

Robinson: I am, I’m sorry

When the roommate asked Robinson why he did it, he replied: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

When asked how long he had been planning the attack, Robinson said, “a bit over a week I believe.”

Robinson then expressed concern that he had abandoned his grandfather’s rifle in a towel at the scene, and wondered “how the f*** will I explain losing it to my old man.”

He also told his roommate that the messages engraved on the bullets were “mostly a big meme.”