Everything we know about alleged assassin Tyler Robinson as defence makes bold move in Charlie Kirk case
Topics: Tyler Robinson, Crime, Charlie Kirk, US News
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Rick Egan-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Tyler Robinson, Crime, Charlie Kirk, US News
Back in September last year, political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while attending a college debate at Utah Valley University (UVU).
The singular shot, which resulted in Kirk being pronounced dead in a local hospital, was fired from a sniper on a nearby rooftop of the college campus at around 12.20pm, while he was answering questions about mass shootings and gun violence.
After he was shot in the neck, Kirk's security team rushed him to the hospital, and President Donald Trump later confirmed his passing in a Truth Social post.
Following a huge search from law enforcement, 22-year-old Utah native Tyler Robinson was arrested and charged with aggravated murder, as well as felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and two counts of obstruction of justice for moving a firearm and disposing of clothing.
Advert
Meanwhile, prosecutors made it clear that they plan to seek the death penalty.
At the time of the shooting, Robinson was a third-year student in Dixie Technical College's electrical apprenticeship program.
While the 22-year-old was not a student at UVU, a spokesperson for the university said that he had previously attended, though only for one semester in 2021.
Public records accessed by the BBC suggested that Robinson's political affiliation in the past had been unaffiliated or nonpartisan, while his parents are registered Republicans.
Robinson's grandmother described him in an interview as being 'the shyest person', adding: "He has never, ever spoke politics to me at all."
Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and have said that they are planning on seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
Robinson was last in court on Friday (January 16) as his defense team attempted to disqualify prosecutors over an alleged conflict of interest, CNN reports.
They allege that because a child of one of the prosecutors in the case attended the event, there is a conflict of interest. The family member was reportedly within 85 feet of Kirk when he was shot.
However, prosecutors have objected to the motion, claiming it is a 'delay tactic'. However, defense attorney Richard Novak said it was not about tactics, but that 'we firmly believe that the law supports the conclusion that that particular prosecutor should have been screened off'.
The county attorney's office has argued there is no conflict of interest because the family member 'did not see Charlie get shot' and 'did not see anyone [in the crowd or elsewhere] with a gun.'
However, the defense suggested that the events could have influenced the decision to pursue the death penalty so quickly, with the motion explaining: “The rush to seek death in this case evidences strong emotional reactions."
The attorney's office responded by explaining that 'there is nothing unusual or untoward about filing a death penalty notice before a preliminary hearing.'
Novak said that until a decision is made, the prosecutor should be removed from the case.
CNN further reports that Robinson will not be arraigned until after his preliminary hearing.
This is due to begin on May 18 for three days.