Prosecutors in Utah announced Tuesday that they will pursue the death penalty against the man accused of killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University last week.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was formally charged with murder and several related offenses after investigators linked him to the Sept. 10 shooting. According to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray, evidence includes DNA found on the trigger of the rifle used in the attack, a text message confession to Robinson’s partner, and a handwritten note stating his intent to kill Kirk.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Gray said while outlining the case. He told reporters that Robinson admitted in private messages to spending more than a week planning the attack.
Authorities say Robinson fired from the roof of a nearby building, striking Kirk in the neck as he spoke to students about issues including gun violence and gender identity. Kirk, 31, was widely recognized as a driving force in conservative politics and the founder of Arizona-based Turning Point USA, an organization that helped mobilize young voters for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
While prosecutors have not identified a definitive motive, court filings suggest political and ideological tensions may have played a role. Robinson, who had been in a relationship with a transgender partner, reportedly wrote that he was tired of Kirk’s “hatred” and felt compelled to act. His family told investigators that he had become more outspoken in support of LGBTQ+ rights over the past year, which often clashed with his father’s pro-Trump views.
Robinson was arrested last week in southern Utah after his parents recognized him in a photo released by authorities and persuaded him to surrender.
Along with the murder charge, Robinson faces counts of obstructing justice and witness tampering for allegedly urging his partner to delete their text conversations and stay quiet if questioned by police. Federal investigators are also reviewing Robinson’s online activity, including participation in a gaming chatroom on Discord that may have involved discussions of political violence.
Kirk’s assassination has intensified debate over the rise of political violence in the United States. Vigils and memorial services have been held in Arizona and Utah, with prominent Republican figures—including President Trump—expected to attend his upcoming memorial.
The case will move forward in Utah courts, where Robinson appeared briefly by video Tuesday. He remains in custody without bail.
