Prosecutors in Utah announced Tuesday they will seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and unveiled new evidence, including text messages in which Robinson allegedly admitted responsibility for the fatal shooting.
According to court filings, Robinson told his roommate and romantic partner: “I had enough of his hatred” when asked why he had killed Kirk. Investigators say Robinson fired a single rifle round from a rooftop at Utah Valley University in Orem last Wednesday, striking Kirk in the neck. The campus is about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed seven charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice for discarding evidence, and witness tampering after Robinson allegedly urged his roommate to erase incriminating messages. Gray emphasized that the decision to pursue capital punishment was made independently, based solely on the facts and severity of the crime.
At his first court appearance via video link, Robinson—wearing a jail-issued suicide-prevention smock—spoke only to confirm his name. Judge Tony Graf ruled he lacked the means to hire legal counsel and appointed an attorney ahead of the next hearing scheduled for September 29. Robinson will remain in Washington County Jail without bail under heightened supervision.
Kirk’s killing, which was caught on video and widely shared online, drew widespread condemnation of political violence across the spectrum but also ignited bitter partisan blame. Prosecutors highlighted Robinson’s communications as crucial evidence. In one exchange, Robinson directed his partner to look under his keyboard, where a handwritten note stated: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
When pressed by his partner if he was truly the gunman, Robinson allegedly replied: “I am, I’m sorry.” He added that the attack had been planned for more than a week.
Prosecutors say Robinson later expressed regret about abandoning the rifle, which belonged to his grandfather, in nearby bushes. “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle,” he wrote, adding that he hoped police would not recover fingerprints. DNA recovered from the weapon reportedly matched Robinson.
Robinson, described as a third-year trade school student, surrendered the following day after his parents recognized images of the suspect circulating online. He initially voiced thoughts of suicide but was persuaded by his family and a retired deputy sheriff to turn himself in.
Messages show Robinson telling his partner: “I’m much more worried about you,” urging them not to cooperate with investigators. Prosecutors said the roommate, who is cooperating with authorities, has been identified as Robinson’s romantic partner and is transitioning from male to female.
Court records also note that Robinson’s mother told police her son had shifted toward more progressive political views in the past year, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights, which had caused friction with family members, including his father.
Aggravating circumstances added to the charges include targeting Kirk for his political stance and committing the crime in front of minors—factors that make the case eligible for capital punishment under Utah law.
Kirk, 31, co-founder of the conservative student group Turning Point USA and a close ally of Donald Trump, had been addressing an audience of roughly 3,000 people at the time of the attack.
Civil rights groups have long criticized Kirk’s rhetoric as hostile toward marginalized communities, while his supporters hail him as a defender of conservative values and a force in mobilizing young voters.
Following the assassination, Trump and other senior officials called for harsh measures against left-wing groups, blaming “radical left” extremism. Critics, however, warned the killing could be used as justification for broader crackdowns on political opponents.
