The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk appeared in a Utah courtroom on Tuesday as prosecutors announced they will pursue the death penalty in the case.
Charlie Kirk, 31, who was the founder of Turning Point USA and a close political ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week during a public event at a university in Utah. The incident shocked many across the United States and sparked strong reactions online and offline.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of carrying out the shooting by firing from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck in front of a large audience. Investigators said the attack was planned, and a nationwide manhunt for Robinson ended more than a day later when his parents convinced him to surrender to police after recognizing him in widely shared photos.
Robinson appeared in court wearing a safety smock used for suicide prevention. He remained quiet except when confirming his name, as Judge Tony Graf listed seven charges against him. The most serious charge is aggravated murder, while others include obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Authorities say Robinson told his roommate to remain silent after the attack.
Prosecutors said text messages between Robinson and his roommate revealed his intention to kill Kirk. The messages described Robinson’s motive as anger toward what he viewed as hatred in Kirk’s speeches. The accused also left a written note on the day of the killing, further suggesting the attack was premeditated.
Charlie Kirk, who leaves behind two children, had built a large following on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. He was well known for his outspoken criticism of progressive movements, including opposition to transgender rights. His sharp debates at college events often drew both strong support and fierce criticism, making him a divisive figure in U.S. politics.
The FBI faced scrutiny after confusion in the early hours of the investigation, when two people were initially arrested but later released. One of them has since been charged with possession of child pornography in a case unrelated to Kirk’s killing.
The White House on Monday announced that it would pursue investigations into what it described as left-wing domestic threats in response to the murder. The statement raised concerns from some political observers that such efforts might be used to suppress opposing views.