Tyler James Robinson, age 22, was charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense, for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others.
Utah prosecutors announced formal charges against the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent U.S. conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA.
Kirk, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during a speaking engagement at a Utah university campus last week.
Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect, alleging he fired a single rifle shot to Kirk’s neck from a rooftop.
Robinson was apprehended following a 33-hour manhunt.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray stated at a press conference, “After reviewing the evidence collected by law enforcement, I am charging Tyler James Robinson, age 22, with aggravated murder, a capital offense, for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others.”
In addition to aggravated murder, Robinson faces six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering, for allegedly instructing his roommate to remain silent.
Gray emphasized the gravity of the case, declaring, “I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty,” adding that the decision was made “independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.”
Kirk, a father of two, was a polarizing figure known for leveraging platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to promote conservative viewpoints, often criticizing the transgender rights movement.
His carefully curated debate clips at college events amplified his influence through Turning Point USA, a major conservative youth organization.
The announcement follows the White House’s Monday statement outlining plans to address a perceived left-wing “domestic terror movement,” sparking concerns among some about potential overreach in curbing dissent.
