Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer, formally charged, county attorney will seek death penalty

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, was formally charged on Tuesday afternoon. His initial appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. today. The hearing will be virtual, and Robinson will appear remotely.

Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray held a news conference at noon to announce the formal charges against Robinson in connection with the fatal shooting of Kirk that occurred last week at Utah Valley University.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder (a Capital felony) with the victim targeting enhancement and violent offense committed in the presence of a child aggravating factor. Conviction of this charge can carry the death penalty.

He is also charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury (a first-degree felony) with the same enhancement and aggravating factor, two counts of obstruction of justice (a second-degree felony), two counts of tampering with a witness (a third-degree felony), and one count of a violent offense committed in the presence of a child (a Class A misdemeanor) with the victim targeting enhancement.

Utah County Attorney Gray stated that he is also planning to file his intent to seek the death penalty. He said that Robinson will be held in the Utah County Jail without bail.

Robinson was initially booked into the Utah County Jail on aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; felony discharge of a firearm – causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony; and obstruction of justice – capital/first-degree felony conduct, a second-degree felony.

Information from the indictment

According to the charging document, Charlie Kirk was “answering a question about mass shootings by transgender individuals” when he was struck by the bullet. The bullet closely passed by multiple other individuals in the area, including the person asking the question. Children were also reportedly visible in the crowd near Kirk’s stage when he was shot.

A UVU police officer was watching the event from “an elevated vantage point” when the shooting occurred. This officer noted a roof area roughly 160 yards away from Kirk’s stage that could have been a potential shooting location. The area was adjacent to a publicly-accessible walkway, only requiring one to climb over a railing and drop down.

Surveillance footage captured an individual, believed to be Robinson, wearing a black shirt with an American flag, a dark baseball hat, and sunglasses. Officers observed “an unusual gait,” which they found consistent with someone hiding a rifle in their pants.

Using that surveillance footage of Robinson allegedly fleeing, law enforcement located a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded area. Three bullets were also located with inscriptions. The rifle had one spent round, and three unspent rounds. The rounds had the following inscriptions etched in.

“NoTices Bulge OWO What’s This?”, “Hey Facist! Catch!” followed by arrow symbols, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao Ciao, ciao!”, and “If you Read This, You Are GAY Lmao”.

On Sept. 11, Robinson went to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with his parents and a family friend to turn himself in, charging documents say. His mother told police that she saw the photo and thought it looked like Robinson. When she called and asked where he was, Robinson allegedly told her that he was sick.

Robinson’s mother told police that he had become “more political” over the last year and become more “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” She also told law enforcement that Robinson was dating a roommate, a “biological male who was transitioning genders.” His mother stated that in a conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk’s event at UVU and said it was a “stupid venue” and accused him of spreading hate.

Robinson’s father reported to law enforcement that he thought the photos of the suspected shooter looked like his son. He also believed that the suspected weapon matched the rifle that was given to his son as a gift. Robinson’s father told officers that he asked his son to send a picture of the rifle, and Robinson did not respond. During a call, Robinson allegedly implied that he was going to take his life.

Through the call, Robinson’s parents convinced him to come to their house and speak with them. Robinson allegedly implied that he was the shooter and stated “he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it.” He told his parents that Charlie Kirk “spreads too much hate.” His parents convinced Robinson to speak with a family friend, a retired deputy sheriff, who convinced Robinson to turn himself in.

In an interview with law enforcement, Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner told law enforcement that Robinson had sent messages following the shooting and provided those to police. On Sept. 10, the roommate and romantic partner received a message that said “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.”

Under Robinson’s keyboard was allegedly a note that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” A photograph of the note was given to law enforcement. The roommate send “What? You’re joking, right?” with several question marks.

Some of the alleged messages between Robinson and his roommate/romantic partner read as follows:

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”

More alleged messages between the two read:

Roommate: “Why?”

Robinson: “Why did I do it?”

Roommate: “Yeah”

Robinson: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it.”

Roommate: “How long have you been planning this?”

Robinson: “a bit over a week I believe. I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it”

During the conversation, Robinson also mentioned the rifle and spoke about going to retrieve it.

Robinson also allegedly asked his romantic partner to delete the messages and stated that he was going to turn himself in.

Robinson: “don’t talk to the media please. don’t take any interviews or make any comments. … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent”

During a search of Robinson’s residence, law enforcement allegedly located another shell casing with an etching. They also located several targets with bullet holes.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was a conservative activist and the creator of Turning Point USA. He was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at an event on Utah Valley University campus.

The suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested on the evening of Sept. 11 in Washington County, UT.