UTAH—Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray just minutes ago during a schedule press conference announced that he will be seeking the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, for the murder of Charlie Kirk. Robinson is being held in Utah County Jail without bail.
Below are Robinson’s current charges:
- Count 1: Aggravated murder, a capital offense, for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others.
- Count 2: Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony. The state is further alleging aggravating factors on counts 1 and 2 because the defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk’s political expression and did so knowing that children were present and would witness the homicide.
- Count 3: Obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony for moving and concealing the rifle used in the shooting.
- Count 4: Obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony for disposing the clothing he wore during the shooting.
- Count 5: Witness tampering, a third-degree felony for directing his roommate to delete his incriminating texts.
- Count 6: Witness tampering, a third-degree felony for directing his roommate to stay silent if police questioned him.
- Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child, a class A misdemeanor for committing homicide knowing that children were present and may have seen or heard the murder and did so based on Charlie Kirk’s political expression.
The FBI is independently conducting its own investigation Gray shared with reporters. During today’s Senate Hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel shared that over 20 people are being investigated in the assassination of Kirk. This includes members of Robinson’s Discord server.
During today’s presser, Gray disclosed that Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger, other parts of the rifle, the fired cartridge casting, two of the three unfired cartridges, and the towel found with the rifle believed to have been used to assassinate Kirk.
Robinson turned himself into the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with both his parents and a family friend, according to Gray. Robinson’s mother told law enforcement that she thought the shooter looked like her son.
Robinson told her he was home sick during the time of the shooting. After talking with her husband, both parents agreed that they believed their son, Tyler Robinson, was the shooter.
Robinson’s mother shared that over the last year, her son became more political and starting to lean more towards the left; becoming more gay and trans rights oriented, Gray said.
Gray confirmed that Robinson was dating his boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, who was transitioning from male to female. Robinson’s father believed the rifle used in the assassination of Kirk, looked like the rifle he gave his son as a gift.
Robinson implied to his parents, at their home after the shooting, that he was Kirk’s assassin. He told his parents that there is too much evil and that Kirk spreads too much hate. They then convinced Robinson to speak with a family friend who was a retired Deputy Sheriff, who then convinced Robinson to turn himself into authorities.
Police found a photograph of a note, allegedly by Robinson, that was placed under the keyboard of a computer at the townhome shared with Twiggs, that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I am going to take it.” Twiggs alleges to police that Robinson messaged him telling him where to find this note.
In an alleged text message exchange between Twiggs and Robinson, Robinson confessed to the murder of Kirk, Gray stated. Robinson alleged told Twiggs he had planning the shooting for a little over a week.
Robinson shared with Twiggs that his dad is “die hard MAGA.”
During a search of Robinson’s home, a cartridge was found with etchings resembling those on the cartridges found at the crime scene. Police also found several target boards with bullet holes in the home.
Gray made it explicitly clear that everything is “allegations” and that the case is still an active investigation.
Jeffrey Gray has been the Utah County Attorney since January 2023.
Author: Mario Lotmore
