Tyler Robinson has been charged with murder. (Image: AP)
Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing American political activist Charlie Kirk, has been charged with murder. The exact charges filed against the 22-year-old include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and witness tampering. If he is convicted, Utah state prosecutors said they will pursue the death penalty. Robinson now remains in custody without bail.
Mr Kirk was shot in the neck with a bolt-action rifle while hosting an event at Utah Valley University, with the shot being taken from the roof of a nearby campus building. Before the shooting, Robinson wrote in a note that he had an opportunity to take out the political influencer and was going to do it, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
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Robinson appeared via video link wearing an anti-suicide vest. (Image: Getty Images)
1. Recognised on CCTV by his mother
Robinson’s mother recongised him from the CCTV images shared by law enforcement, which showed him wearing a backpack, baseball cap, and long sleeve top with the American flag on it.
His father and a retired deputy sheriff, also a family friend, then convinced him to turn himself in. It was previously thought that the family friend was a youth pastor.
Utah County attorney general Jeff Gray said: “Robinson’s mother saw the photo of the shooter in the news and thought the shooter looked like her son.
“[His] mother called her son…where … he said he was at home sick. On September 10, Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspect shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed.”
Mr Gray revealed that Robinson’s mother recognised him from CCTV images. (Image: AP)
2. ‘Consistent’ DNA on rifle
DNA “consistent with Robinson’s” was found on the trigger and “other parts” of a rifle found abandoned in the woods near where Mr Kirk was shot.
It was also found on cartridges, casing, and a towel used to conceal the weapon after Robinson put it down his trouser leg while making his escape.
Mr Gray said: “The suspect walks with very little bending in his right leg, consistent with a rifle being hidden in his pants. This unusual gait continues until the suspect is seen crossing the railway.
“Immediately after the shot was fired, a camera captures the suspect running across the roof carrying an item whose shape is consistent with a rifle.”
JD Vance hosted Mr Kirk’s podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, following his death. (Image: Getty Images)
3. Movements after the shooting
Robinson remained near the scene of the shooting after the incident took place in northern Utah.
Messages with his partner revealed that he wanted to return to the woods and retrieve a rifle, but was worried about the police presence.
He wrote: “I believe I can get close to it, but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it.”
Tyler Robinson could face the death penalty. (Image: Utah Governor’s Office/AFP via G)
4. Clashes with ‘die-hard MAGA’ father
Text messages between Robinson and his partner revealed that Robinson thought his father had become a “die-hard MAGA” [Make America Great Again] supporter.
He wrote: “Since Trump got into office, my dad has been pretty die-hard Maga.” He had “very different political views” from his father, Robinson’s mother added.
A background check on Robinson revealed that he was not affiliated with any political party in the US, but a family member told investigators that he’d become “more political” in recent years.
The FBI refused to discuss this, or a possible motive, during a press briefing on Friday.
Robinson clashed with his father about politics, his mother said. (Image: KTVX)
5. ‘More pro gay and trans’
Robinson’s mother told prosecutors that her son “had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro gay and trans rights oriented” in recent years.
He was also in a relationship with a transgender woman, also his roomante.
This “resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views”, his mother added.
