Prosecutors said Tuesday that the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk left a hidden note for his roommate in which he confessed to the killing, and they announced seven charges against the suspect, including aggravated murder. Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray said investigators would seek the death penalty.
The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, appeared remotely for his first court appearance on Tuesday and is being held without bail in a special housing unit at the Utah County Jail. Prosecutors read charges that include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and committing a violent crime when children were present.
Gray described a note Robinson left under a keyboard for his roommate, who he said is Robinson's romantic partner, telling the person to "Drop what you're doing, look under my keyboard." The prosecutor said the note read: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it." Prosecutors also displayed alleged text-message exchanges in which Robinson told the roommate, "I had enough of his hatred," and later replied "I am, I'm sorry" when asked if he had carried out the killing.
Authorities say Robinson has not entered a plea and has not confessed to police. At a news conference, Gray disclosed additional evidence investigators have developed, including DNA found on the trigger of the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting.
Kirk, the founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was struck once in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. Gray said Kirk was answering a question about mass shootings carried out by transgender individuals when the gunfire rang out. The bullet struck Kirk and he slumped to the ground; Gray said the round passed closely by others, including children and the person who had posed the question.
Robinson was arrested late Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt, Gray said. Prosecutors recounted that Robinson's mother saw a released video of the suspect and contacted her husband, saying it resembled their son. The parents called Robinson and later persuaded him to come to their home, where, according to prosecutors, he hinted he was the attacker and said he would rather "end it" than go to jail. With the help of a family friend who is a retired deputy sheriff, the parents convinced Robinson to surrender, Gray said.
Gray said messages recovered during the investigation show Robinson described his movements after the shooting and attempted to retrieve the rifle from a hidden drop point. "I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down," one message allegedly read. He also allegedly told the roommate to delete messages and to stay silent if questioned, conduct that supports the witness-tampering and obstruction charges, Gray said.
The roommate has not been publicly identified and is cooperating with investigators, Gray said. He also noted the roommate is transgender and transitioning from male to female; when asked whether Kirk had been targeted because of his views on transgender issues, Gray said that determination would be for a jury to decide.
Robinson's alleged statement to his parents, as cited by prosecutors, included language that "there is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate," a reference to Kirk, according to the indictment. Gray emphasized that Robinson is presumed innocent and will have the opportunity for a jury trial.
Kirk, his wife and their two children survived the initial chaos that followed the shooting, and his killing has prompted statements from political figures across the spectrum. Former President Donald Trump called the shooting a "dark moment for America." Authorities have not publicly identified a motive beyond the statements attributed to Robinson in texts and in the note to his roommate.
Prosecutors said forensic evidence, including DNA on the rifle trigger, links Robinson to the weapon. They also said law enforcement recovered messages that detailed the suspect's plan to retrieve the firearm from a drop point and his concerns about police presence near that location.
As the case moves toward a criminal trial, Gray said the office will pursue capital charges. Robinson remains in custody as investigators continue to review evidence and prepare for pretrial proceedings.