Utah Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty For Suspect In Killing Of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk

Prosecutors in Utah said on Tuesday they will seek the death penalty against a 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Tyler Robinson has been charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, committing a violent crime in the presence of a child, and witness tampering, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray told reporters.

Court documents show Robinson allegedly planned the attack more than a week in advance and later admitted responsibility in text messages and online posts, writing on Discord:“Yesterday at Utah Valley University, that was me.”

Kirk, 31, the founder of conservative student group Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while addressing about 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, 65 km south of Salt Lake City. He died instantly.

Robinson fled the scene and remained at large for more than 30 hours before surrendering under pressure from his parents and a family friend who is a retired sheriff's deputy.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence linked him to the weapon found near the university. Investigators also recovered a towel and screwdriver bearing his genetic material. His roommate, now cooperating with authorities, confirmed Robinson had asked him to delete incriminating messages.

The killing, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum and renewed fears of rising political violence in the United States.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this year found two-thirds of Americans believe heated political rhetoric is contributing to acts of violence, a concern underscored by Kirk's death.

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