22-Year-Old Man Accused Of Killing Charlie Kirk At U.S. University To Face Death Penalty

Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty for 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a public event at Utah Valley University last week.

Robinson faces seven felony counts, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and violence committed in the presence of children, according to Reuters.

Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray said his office reached the decision to pursue capital punishment based on the “available evidence and the circumstances and nature of the crime.”

“I had enough of his hatred,” Robinson allegedly told his roommate and romantic partner in a series of text messages after the shooting, according to court filings.

Kirk, 31, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent Trump ally, was speaking before a crowd of 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, when he was fatally shot.

Prosecutors allege that Robinson fired a single rifle round from a rooftop sniper’s nest, striking Kirk in the neck.

Court documents state that Robinson planned the attack for more than a week. On the day of the killing, he left a note for his roommate that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

When the roommate asked in a text, “you weren’t the one who did it right????” Robinson replied, “I am, I’m sorry.”

He later explained his motive, writing, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

The charging document against Robinson outlines seven counts, beginning with aggravated murder for the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in a manner that placed others at great risk of death. He is also charged with felony discharge of a firearm for firing toward Kirk, a shot that caused the injuries leading to his death. Prosecutors further accuse Robinson of obstructing justice by hiding both the rifle used in the attack and the clothing he wore at the time. In addition, he faces two counts of witness tampering for allegedly instructing his roommate to delete text messages about the shooting and to remain silent if questioned by police. The final charge, committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, stems from the fact that the shooting occurred in front of children under the age of 14.

DNA evidence found on the rifle’s trigger was linked to Robinson, according to prosecutors.

After the shooting, Robinson expressed concern about abandoning the rifle, which had belonged to his grandfather.

“I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpas rifle,” he wrote. “I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints,” according to Reuters.

When Robinson decided to surrender, he texted his roommate: “I’m much more worried about you.”

He urged the roommate to delete their text exchange and refuse cooperation with the police.

The roommate, who has been described as Robinson’s romantic partner, is now reportedly cooperating with authorities.

Robinson evaded capture for more than 30 hours before turning himself in after his parents confronted him upon recognizing his image in news reports.

Prosecutors said he initially implied he might take his own life but was persuaded by his parents and a family friend, a retired deputy sheriff, to surrender.

The killing was captured in graphic videos that circulated online, sparking condemnation of political violence from across the spectrum while also fueling partisan finger-pointing.

President Donald Trump quickly blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s murder and reiterated his call for the death penalty.

Civil rights groups have long criticized Kirk for his rhetoric, describing it as racist, anti-immigrant, misogynistic, and hostile toward LGBTQ+ communities.

Supporters, however, hailed him as a staunch defender of conservative values and a driving force in mobilizing young voters.

Kirk’s assassination comes amid a rise in politically motivated attacks in the U.S.

In recent years, targets have included politicians from both parties, with multiple attempts on Trump’s life and the killing of a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted after Kirk’s death found that about two-thirds of Americans believe inflammatory political rhetoric is fueling violence.

Gray emphasized that his decision to pursue the death penalty was not politically motivated.

“This decision was made independently, based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime,” he said.