Charlie Kirk killing: Suspect Tyler Robinson charged with aggravated murder by Utah prosecutors

Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, has been formally charged with aggravated murder for fatally shooting the far-right activist last week, the Utah state prosecutors have announced.

Jeff Gray, the top prosecutor in Utah County, said that they have intentions to impose the death penalty for Robinson if he is convicted of the crime. He added that the 22-year-old shooter ordered his roommate to delete an incriminating text exchange between them and asked him not to answer any questions from the police after Kirk’s killing.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and witness tampering. Gray stated that the charges were elevated to qualify for the death penalty due to two aggravating circumstances: the 31-year-old “Kirk’s political expression” and the presence of children who “were present” to witness the murder.

Robinson wore a suicide prevention smock – common in high-profile cases – when he appeared in a Utah court Tuesday to hear the charges levied against him.

He spoke only to confirm his name and sat passively as District Judge Tony Graf read out the seven charges.

“I do not take this decision lightly. And it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime,” Gray said.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the White House said it would be pursuing an alleged left-wing “domestic terror movement” in the wake of Kirk’s killing, prompting alarm that such a campaign could be used to silence political dissent.

Family started leaning to the left

Citing information given to investigators by Robinson’s mother following his arrest, Gray emphasised that the suspect, whose family was known to be conservative, “had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented.”

Robinson’s mother also revealed that he had started dating his roommate, who “was transitioning genders”, the chief prosecutor said.

Video of the crime showed how Kirk was shot after he said that “too many” transgender people are being responsible for mass shootings in the US as he held an event at Utah Valley University.

With inputs from agencies