Prosecutors are preparing a death penalty case against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who surrendered the day following Kirk’s assassination.
WASHINGTON — As numerous people assemble to pay their respects to Charlie Kirk at a large memorial service in Arizona, Utah prosecutors are constructing a case against the individual accused of assassinating the Republican activist while he spoke at an event at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
Here’s what we know about the shooting, and the man charged with his murder.
Kirk shot in a chaotic scene as gunman fled
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The renowned conservative political activist and media figure was on the initial stop of his resumed “American Comeback Tour.”
Event footage exhibited Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone, seated under a white tent. A solitary shot resonated, and the 31-year-old was observed clutching his neck with his right hand as attendees gasped and shrieked before fleeing.
Despite two people being taken into custody within hours after the shooting, officials said both were eventually released and cleared.
Over the subsequent two days, limited details emerged as authorities sought the gunman, whom they alleged fired at Kirk from the top of an adjacent building and then escaped into a residential area near the campus.
Suspect turned himself in to police
By Friday, Sept. 12, after a two-day pursuit, authorities identified the suspect in custody as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, apprehended just hours earlier.
“We got him,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said during a press conference.
Robinson was reportedly turned in by members of his family and a family friend, who arranged for him to be taken into custody by law enforcement officials, Cox said.
Robinson appeared quiet and somber when he arrived with his parents to turn himself in last Thursday at the Washington County Sheriff’s office, a day after Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, said Sheriff Nate Brooksby.
“He didn’t want a big SWAT team at his parent’s house or his apartment,” said the sheriff, who was only involved with the surrender and not the broader investigation. “He was truly fearful about being shot by law enforcement.”
Who is Tyler Robinson?
According to investigators, a family member of Robinson said he had become more political in recent years.
Robinson was admitted to Utah State University on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter posted to a family member’s social media account. A university spokesperson says he attended for only one semester in 2021.
Robinson attended Dixie Technical College in Southern Utah, where he was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program. The program trains people to be electricians, lighting technicians or electrical repair specialists.
Robinson was registered to vote, but was not affiliated with a political party. He was also listed as inactive, meaning he had not voted in at least the last two general elections.
Robinson has two younger brothers and his parents have been married for about 25 years, according to his mother’s social media posts. The family lives in a suburb of the city of St. George in southern Utah, about a 3.5 hour drive south of the Utah Valley University campus where Kirk was shot.
Utah’s governor said bullets found with the rifle Robinson allegedly used to kill Kirk were engraved with messages. Many of those messages have their roots in popular internet culture and memes.
Investigators say that after Robinson fired the single fatal shot, he texted his romantic partner and said to look under a keyboard for a note.
“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” it said according to court documents.
After expressing shock, his partner who lived with Robinson, asked if he was the shooter. Robinson responded, “I am, I’m sorry.”
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said DNA on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk matched Robinson.
Prosecutors say they’re seeking death penalty for ‘political’ shooting
On Tuesday, prosecutors charged the 22-year-old Robinson with capital murder and announced they will seek the death penalty.
The full list of charges against Robinson can be read here.
