Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing charged with aggravated murder and weapon and obstruction offenses

Описание: (16 Sep 2025)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4604089

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Provo, Utah - 16 September 2025
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Gray, Utah County Attorney:
"Today, after reviewing the evidence that law enforcement has collected thus far. I am filing a criminal information charging Tyler James Robinson, age 22, with a following crimes. Count one - 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 two - felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, a first degree felony. The state is further alleging aggravating factors on counts one and two because the defendant is believed 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."
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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Gray, Utah County Attorney:
"Also following the press conference, I am filing a Notice of Intent to seek the death penalty. 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."
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3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Gray, Utah County Attorney:
"DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the rifle's trigger. After shooting Mr. Kirk Robertson hid the gun discarded the clothing he wore when he fired the rifle, and told his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and not talk to police. Children were present at the time of the shooting."
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STORYLINE:
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was charged on Tuesday with aggravated murder, a prosecutor announced, saying Robinson left behind his DNA on the trigger of the rifle that fired the fatal shot.

The charge means Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Kirk last week at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.

“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said in announcing the charges. He said Robinson's DNA was found on the trigger of the gun used to kill Kirk.

Kirk was gunned down on Sept. 10 as he spoke with students and died soon after. Prosecutors allege Robinson shot Kirk in the neck with a bolt-action rifle from the roof of a nearby campus building.

A Utah Valley University police officer was watching the university campus crowd from an “elevated position” and identified the roof of the Losee Center as a potential position for a shooter, Gray said. The officer found evidence on the roof immediately, he said, and spurred officers to direct their attention to surveillance video leading to the roof.

Gray said Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the rifle. He said Robinson discarded the rifle and clothing and asked his roommate to conceal evidence.

Robinson also was charged with felony discharge of a firearm, punishable by up to life in prison, and obstructing justice, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. He was scheduled to appear on camera for a virtual court hearing Tuesday afternoon.

It was unclear whether Robinson had an attorney who could speak on his behalf, and his family has declined to comment to The Associated Press.

Robinson was arrested late Thursday near St. George, the southern Utah community where he grew up.





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