Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been formally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced the charges at a press conference, noting that Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.
Gray described Kirk’s killing as “an American tragedy,” emphasizing the attack occurred while Kirk was engaging in what he called one of the nation’s “most sacred and cherished American rights—the free exchange of ideas.”
Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of children, the New York Post reports.
The obstruction and witness tampering counts stem from Robinson allegedly hiding the rifle used in the shooting and instructing his live-in trans-identifying lover to delete messages and remain silent if questioned.
Robinson was apprehended after a 33-hour manhunt and turned in by his father.
Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA and was shot while addressing roughly 3,000 attendees during the “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University last week.
He was struck in the neck and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Court documents and law enforcement testimony reveal that Robinson had adopted leftist beliefs and had become radicalized online over the past several years.
Authorities recovered extensive messages between Robinson and his lover in which he outlined his intentions.
In one, he wrote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
In another exchange, he added, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” and admitted that he had been planning the attack “for a bit over a week.”
He also instructed his partner, “Delete this exchange. Don’t take interviews or make comments. If police ask questions, ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Robinson admitted via Discord messages, a popular online chat platform, that he planned to kill Kirk.
Authorities are also investigating other participants in the chat, though Robinson is believed to have acted alone.
Investigators emphasized that his communications reflect premeditation and concern for how the attack would be perceived publicly, including directions for his partner to avoid police questioning and media contact.
The aggravated murder charge makes Robinson eligible for Utah’s capital punishment, which includes the firing squad option.
President Donald Trump, a close friend of Kirk, has publicly supported pursuing the death penalty in the case, citing the need for accountability in politically motivated attacks.
Prosecutors are preparing separate legal proceedings to address both the capital murder and related offenses, such as obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Authorities stressed that each aspect of the case is being handled independently while the investigation continues into the influence of radicalization, online activity and extremist ideologies in politically motivated crimes.
Robinson remains in Utah County Jail awaiting trial, and while evidence currently points to him acting alone, authorities continue to examine whether any other individuals had prior knowledge of the attack.
Officials emphasized the importance of ongoing investigations to ensure justice and to prevent similar incidents targeting public figures in the future
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