Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged in the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, made his first court appearance Tuesday and was ordered held without bail as prosecutors announced plans to seek the death penalty.
Robinson appeared by video link before a judge in Provo, Utah, confirmed his identity and otherwise said little. He is charged with seven counts, including capital murder, in the Sept. 10 shooting at a Utah Valley University event in Orem that killed 31-year-old Kirk. Judge Tony Graf granted a protective order for Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, and scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 29.
Court observers and video of the appearance described Robinson as wearing what was reported as a suicide vest and having unkempt facial hair. He spoke only once during the short proceeding, confirming his name before giving a brief nod as the hearing closed.
Federal and local authorities say multiple strands of evidence tie Robinson to the killing. FBI Director Kash Patel, speaking on Fox News, said investigators recovered DNA from a towel wrapped around the firearm used in the attack that matched Robinson. Patel also said that, during interviews conducted as part of a days-long investigation, law enforcement found that Robinson "essentially admitted" to killing Kirk.
Patel said officers questioned relatives, friends and others and that Robinson's family and acquaintances are cooperating with the investigation. Authorities say Robinson told police he acted because he was unhappy with Kirk's stances on gay and transgender rights; when asked why he would kill the conservative media figure, Patel quoted Robinson as saying, "Some hatred cannot be negotiated with." The remarks were described by Patel in the television interview.
Authorities also said Robinson's girlfriend, identified in filings as a trans woman named Lance Twiggs, provided investigators with text messages she said showed Robinson had confessed to a roommate after the shooting and had written, "I'm sorry." According to Patel, when Twiggs told Robinson police had arrested another person, he replied, "no, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing."
Prosecutors have not released all investigative materials publicly. The Salt Lake County prosecutor's office confirmed it will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of capital murder. Court records show Robinson has been ordered held without bail pending further proceedings.
The shooting at the university drew national attention because of Kirk's profile as a conservative commentator and activist. Law enforcement officials have said the investigation remains active, and additional pretrial motions and scheduling are expected before the next hearing on Sept. 29.