Tyler Robinson, 22, has been formally charged with aggravated murder in the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The incident occurred last Wednesday on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was shot in the neck by a single rifle bullet from a rooftop sniper’s nest.
Driving the news: Kirk, 31, was the co-founder and leader of Turning Point USA and a notable supporter of former President Donald Trump.
- The event Kirk was speaking at was attended by approximately 3,000 people.
The big picture: Prosecutors have filed seven counts in total against Robinson, including obstruction of justice for disposing of evidence and witness tampering for instructing his roommate to delete texts.
- Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray announced the decision to seek the death penalty, stating it was made independently based on the evidence, circumstances, and nature of the crime.
- Robinson was arrested two days after the shooting at his parents’ home, located about 260 miles southwest of the crime scene, following tips from relatives and a family friend after he allegedly implicated himself.
- Governor Spencer Cox confirmed the state’s inclination to pursue the death penalty if Robinson is convicted but noted prosecutors will consider the wishes of Kirk’s family in that decision.
Go deeper; Robinson is a third-year student enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at a state technical college.
- He initially fled the scene amid the chaos caused by the shooting but was apprehended days later.
- Robinson appeared via video feed for a scheduled court hearing in Utah County Justice Court in Provo.
