The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk appeared in court on Tuesday, 16th September, as prosecutors announced they would pursue the death penalty, following a crime that has sent shockwaves across the United States.
Kirk—a father of two, close ally of President Donald Trump, and the founder of the student activism group Turning Point USA—was shot dead last week during an event at a Utah university campus.
Tyler Robinson, 22, allegedly fired a single shot from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck and killing him in front of thousands of people.
A huge manhunt ended 33 hours later when Robinson’s parents, after seeing photos of the wanted man, persuaded their son to turn himself in . He spoke only to confirm his name, remaining passive as District Judge Tony Graf read the seven charges against him.
Prosecutors also revealed that Robinson left a hidden note for his transgender roommate—also his romantic partner—confessing his plan to kill Kirk. In later text messages, Robinson allegedly admitted carrying out the shooting, claiming he had “had enough of his hatred.”
Robinson faces seven charges, the most serious are aggravated murder, as well as obstruction of justice and witness tampering—allegedly by directing his roommate to stay silent.
”I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray told an earlier press conference, adding
I do not take this decision lightly, and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.
