Prosecutors unveiled damning new details Tuesday against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Authorities say Robinson is being held without bail in a secure housing unit and appeared remotely in his first court hearing.
Prosecutors revealed evidence suggesting Robinson confessed privately to the crime before his arrest, including a handwritten note hidden under a keyboard for his roommate, described by Gray as his romantic partner, and a series of text messages referencing the killing.
One message allegedly read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” Another message quoted by Gray said Robinson shot Kirk because he had “had enough of his hatred.”
Authorities said Robinson also expressed remorse in later texts, writing that he had hoped to “keep this secret till I died of old age,” before apologizing to his partner.
The roommate, who is cooperating with investigators, initially reacted in disbelief, replying: “What?????????????? You’re joking, right????”
Kirk was killed last Wednesday by a single gunshot to the neck while answering a question about mass shootings at the Utah Valley University quad. Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed children and other attendees gathered nearby.
Investigators linked Robinson to the crime through DNA allegedly recovered from the trigger of the rifle, which prosecutors believe was a bolt-action weapon passed down from his grandfather. His father reportedly recognized the firearm and urged his son to turn himself in after confronting him. Robinson was arrested Thursday evening following a 33-hour manhunt, with the help of a retired sheriff’s deputy who persuaded him to surrender.
During Tuesday’s news conference, Gray detailed how Robinson’s parents grew suspicious after seeing video footage of the shooter. His mother reportedly told her husband the man in the video looked like their son. Robinson initially denied involvement, claiming he had been home sick, but later hinted at suicidal thoughts when confronted.
Prosecutors also pointed to Robinson’s political leanings in recent years, saying he had become increasingly outspoken in support of LGBTQ+ rights and had entered into a relationship with a transgender partner. Still, Gray declined to speculate on whether Kirk’s views on transgender issues motivated the attack, saying, “That is for a jury to decide.”
Along with the murder charge, Robinson faces additional counts of obstruction and witness tampering for allegedly instructing his partner to delete incriminating messages and remain silent if questioned.
Gray emphasized that while prosecutors intend to pursue the death penalty, Robinson remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. A jury trial will determine his fate.
