Utah Authorities Charge Suspect in Charlie Kirk Assassination, Pursue Death Penalty

PROVO, Utah — Tyler Robinson, 22, has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six additional counts following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week. Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray announced Tuesday that his office is pursuing the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.

Robinson is accused of firing a single rifle shot from a rooftop sniper position, striking Kirk in the neck during an event attended by approximately 3,000 people. The shooting, which took place last Wednesday on the Orem campus roughly 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, was captured on video and widely circulated online.

In addition to aggravated murder, Robinson faces charges including obstruction of justice for attempting to conceal evidence and witness tampering for instructing his roommate to delete text messages. "The decision to seek the death penalty was made independently based on the facts and the gravity of the crime," Gray stated at a press conference.

Authorities have yet to disclose a motive for the attack. However, Kirk's supporters have hailed him as a martyr, highlighting his role as co-founder and leader of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, as well as his connections to former President Donald Trump.

Robinson, a third-year electrical apprenticeship student at a state technical college, fled the scene amid the chaos but was apprehended two days later at his parents' residence, located about 260 miles southwest of the crime location. His arrest followed reports from family members indicating that he had confessed involvement in the shooting, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Robinson appeared via video in Utah County Justice Court on Tuesday afternoon. Governor Cox indicated the state is prepared to recommend the death penalty but noted that prosecutors would take into account the wishes of Kirk's family before finalizing that course of action.

The killing has ignited widespread condemnation across political lines, raising alarms about escalating political violence and fears of further unrest.