Charlie Kirk Killing Suspect Charged With Aggravated Murder, Faces Death Penalty
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating activist Charlie Kirk, was charged on Tuesday with aggravated murder, a prosecutor announced, saying Robinson left behind his DNA on the trigger of the rifle that fired the fatal shot.
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The suspect's DNA was discovered on the rifle trigger, according to the Utah County Attorney.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was charged Tuesday with aggravated murder. The prosecutor announced that Robinson's DNA was found on the trigger of the rifle that fired the fatal shot.
If convicted of killing Kirk last week at Utah Valley University in Orem, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City, Robinson could face the death penalty.
"The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy," stated Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray when announcing the charges. He confirmed that Robinson's DNA was discovered on the weapon's trigger.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking with students and died shortly afterward. Prosecutors allege Robinson fired from the roof of a nearby campus building using a bolt-action rifle.
A police officer from Utah Valley University was monitoring the campus crowd from an "elevated position" and identified the Losee Center roof as a potential shooter's location, Gray explained. The officer immediately found evidence on the roof, which prompted officers to examine surveillance footage leading to the rooftop.
Gray stated that Robinson's DNA was found on the rifle's trigger. He said Robinson discarded the rifle and clothing, then asked his roommate to conceal evidence.
Documents show Robinson left a note under a keyboard indicating his plan to kill Kirk and confessed after the shooting.
Robinson also faces charges of felony discharge of a firearm, punishable by up to life imprisonment, and obstructing justice, which carries a potential 15-year sentence. He was scheduled for a virtual court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
It remained unclear if Robinson had legal representation, and his family has declined to comment to The Associated Press.
Authorities arrested Robinson late Thursday near St. George, the southern Utah community where he grew up.
Investigators have interviewed Robinson's family members and executed a search warrant at his family's home in Washington, Utah, approximately 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of the shooting location.
Kirk, a prominent figure in conservative politics, became a confidant of President Donald Trump after founding Arizona-based Turning Point USA, one of the nation's largest political organizations. He mobilized young, conservative evangelical Christians into politics. His shooting has intensified concerns about increasing political violence in a deeply divided United States.
While authorities report that Robinson has not been cooperating with investigators, his family and friends have been communicating. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated over the weekend that those who know Robinson indicate his politics shifted leftward in recent years and he spent considerable time in "dark corners of the internet."
FBI Director Kash Patel stated Monday on the Fox News Channel program "Fox & Friends" that DNA evidence connected Robinson to a towel wrapped around a rifle discovered near the Utah Valley campus and a screwdriver found on the rooftop where the fatal shot originated.
The FBI is also investigating "anyone and everyone" involved in a gaming chatroom on Discord with Robinson, Patel said Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington. The chatroom involved "a lot more" than 20 people, he noted.
"We are investigating Charlie's assassination fully and completely and running out every lead related to any allegation of broader violence," Patel stated when questioned about whether the Kirk shooting was being treated as part of a broader trend of violence against religious groups.
Investigators are working to establish a motive for the attack, Utah's governor said Sunday, adding that more information might emerge once Robinson appears for his initial court hearing.
Cox mentioned that Robinson's romantic partner was transgender, which some politicians have suggested indicates the suspect targeted Kirk for his anti-transgender views. However, authorities have not confirmed whether this played a role. Kirk was shot while answering a question concerning mass shootings, gun violence, and transgender people.
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Monday that Robinson's partner has been cooperative. He stated investigators believe Robinson acted alone during the shooting but are also examining whether anyone knew of his plans beforehand.
In the aftermath of Kirk's assassination, Americans are confronting questions about escalating political violence, the profound divisions that led to this point, and whether change is possible.
Despite calls for greater civility, some who opposed Kirk's controversial statements about gender, race, and politics criticized him after his death. Many Republicans have led efforts to penalize those they believe dishonored him, resulting in job losses and other workplace consequences for both public and private employees.