Featured Image Credit: FBI
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, Politics, Tyler Robinson, US News, Utah, Gun Crime
Liv Bridge
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, Politics, Tyler Robinson, US News, Utah, Gun Crime
The charges being brought against Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin, Tyler Robinson, have been announced.
The conservative media personality and MAGA ally was fatally shot by a single bullet while speaking at a college event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
The 31-year-old arrived on campus on the first leg of his 'American Comeback Tour', organized by Turning Point USA, which he co-founded and stood as executive director.
While answering a question about transgender shooters, Kirk was shot in the neck mid-speech.
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Tyler Robinson, from Utah, was arrested on September 12 following an intense nationwide manhunt.
Now, the 22-year-old suspected gunman has been charged with seven offences, including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
The seven counts are as followed:
In a press conference held today (September 16), Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
"I do not take this decision lightly," he added, before saying Robinson will continue to be held without bail in jail.
Robinson had been held in custody without bail on suspicion of three crimes - aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, according to an affidavit filed with Utah County Jail.
Officials claimed they caught Robinson following a tip-off from his Republican father, though other family members believe the authorities 'have the wrong man'.
In the immediate aftermath of the assassination, attendees at the college event could be heard screaming and scrambling to safety while video footage appeared to capture a person dressed all in black running across the roof of a nearby building.
The FBI soon confirmed a high-powered bolt-action rifle had been discovered in the woods along the route they suspected the shooter took while fleeing the scene.
They later released grainy surveillance images of their prime suspect, showing a slim young man of around college age donning a cap and sunglasses while lurking in the stairwell of the campus.
The authorities stated they believed the attack was 'targeted' and that the gunman had acted alone while positioned from the rooftop.
The charge comes as an account allegedly linked to Robinson bantered about the assassination online while DNA found at the crime scene also appeared to link him to the crime.
FBI director Kash Patel said DNA was found on a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired as well as a towel that was reportedly wrapped around the discarded rifle.
Bullet casings were also recovered from the scene which had notes scrawled on them like 'hey fascist' and 'catch'.
When images of the suspect were made public, his buddies on Discord apparently noted a similarity between the pair, though the alleged killer is said to have brushed off the suggestion as his 'doppelganger'.
When another user teased handing Robinson in for the FBI's $100,000 reward, it is reported he replied: "Only if I get a cut."
Patel later revealed a damning note, which was apparently found 'destroyed' in the suspect's home, had read: "I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
Meanwhile, two hours before his arrest, Robinson is believed to have 'confessed' to the crime to his Discord pals as he announced his intention to surrender.
It is believed he wrote: "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this.
"I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments."
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated Robinson was not cooperating with authorities but his roommate was.
Cox added the young man had become 'deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,' despite his Republican roots.
FBI director Kash Patel is also expected to face congressional scrutiny over his handling of the investigation.