Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray announced Tuesday that Tyler Robinson has been formally charged with the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and prosecutors will pursue the death penalty.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10 when he was fatally shot. He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children, Mediaite reported.
Gray said Robinson faces seven charges in total: aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Robinson, 22, is being held without bail in the Utah County Jail. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 3 p.m. MT, where he will appear virtually. During the hearing, the court will confirm that Robinson has an attorney present to represent him, and the charges will be read aloud.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Gray detailed the evidence collected by investigators. A bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel was found in a wooded area where surveillance video showed Robinson leaving campus after the shooting. The rifle contained one spent round and three unspent rounds, and investigators sent the weapon, ammunition, and towel for forensic testing.
“DNA consistent with the defendant was found on the trigger, other parts of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two of the three unfired cartridges, and the towel,” Gray said.
Additional evidence included surveillance video, text messages Robinson exchanged with his roommate — with whom he is believed to have been in a romantic relationship — and information provided by Robinson’s parents.
Gray also stressed that while the charges and evidence were strong, Robinson is entitled to the presumption of innocence until tried in court.
“These are allegations, and like the evidence set forth in this statement, those allegations, what you’ve heard from the media, even from state and federal officials, has not been tested in the crucible of a jury trial,” Gray said.
He added that his office would be cautious about releasing further information publicly, in order to protect the integrity of the trial process.
“As prosecutors, we bear the burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” he concluded. “But make no mistake, we welcome this burden.”
Robinson, the suspect accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, made his first court appearance in Utah on Tuesday afternoon.
Robinson appeared virtually and sat emotionless as the judge read the charges and covered other court matters.
“Charlie Kirk’s murderer just made his first appearance in court wearing a suicide vest and with an expressionless, non-remorseful look on his face as he has his charges read to him. The face of evil,” Conservative figure Greg Price wrote on X.
The Utah County attorney revealed that Robinson has been charged with seven crimes, and the death penalty will be sought:
– Count 1: Aggravated murder (capital offense)
– Count 2: Felony reckless discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury
– Count 3: Felony obstruction of justice for hiding the firearm
– Count 4: Felony obstruction of justice for discarding the clothing he wore during the shooting
– Count 5: Witness tampering for asking roommate to DELETE incriminating messages
– Count 6: Witness tampering for demanding the transgender roommate to stay silent, and NOT speak to the police
– Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child
Prosecutors in Utah also filed a pre-trial protective order on behalf of Erika Kirk.