Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with aggravated murder; prosecutor to seek death penalty
Tyler Robinson, 22, faces seven felony charges including aggravated murder; Utah prosecutors will seek the death penalty amid evidence of a politically motivated assassination.
- Prosecutors in Utah charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder for the shooting of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, which occurred at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, during his speech.
- Evidence including DNA found on the rifle and text message confessions indicates Robinson’s involvement, according to prosecutors.
- Robinson allegedly confessed his intent to kill Kirk in texts, stating, ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.’
- Kirk was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, drawing a crowd of about 3,000 attendees.
Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, has been formally charged with aggravated murder for fatally shooting the far-right activist last week, the Utah state prosecutors have announced.
Jeff Gray, the top prosecutor in Utah County, said that they have intentions to impose the death penalty for Robinson if he is convicted of the crime. He added that the 22-year-old shooter ordered his roommate to delete an incriminating text exchange between them and asked him not to answer any questions from the police after Kirk’s killing.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and witness tampering. Gray stated that the charges were elevated to qualify for the death penalty due to two aggravating circumstances: the 31-year-old “Kirk’s political expression” and the presence of children who “were present” to witness the murder.
Robinson wore a suicide prevention smock – common in high-profile cases – when he appeared in a Utah court Tuesday to hear the charges levied against him.
He spoke only to confirm his name and sat passively as District Judge Tony Graf read out the seven charges.
“I do not take this decision lightly. And it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime,” Gray said.
