District Attorney: Charlie Kirk was targeted for his politics, we’re seeking death penalty
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The 22-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Tyler Robinson is also facing the death penalty if convicted, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced at a press conference. The accused appeared virtually from jail before a judge at an initial hearing, with the next court date set for September 29.
Officials say Robinson was radicalized online and subscribed to a “leftist” ideology, and today said the motive for the killing was a hatred of Kirk.
“There is too much evil in the guy, too much hate,” the alleged assassin said in text messages with his roommate.
Officials have said Robinson refused to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation, after surrendering on the evening of September 11. He showed no emotion during Tuesday’s hearing.
Earlier, it emerged that Robinson said in a group chat on Discord shortly before his arrest: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday,” The Washington Post first reported.
Kirk, a Republican activist and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while hosting an event at a Utah college on September 10.
Trump has called Charlie Kirk a ‘martyr’. What does that mean?
Charlie Kirk: white nationalist, conservative Christian, right-wing social media personality, shooting victim, and now, a “martyr”. That is, according to his supporters.
Since Kirk’s death last week, a number of his followers from the Christian right have ascribed to him the title of “martyr”.
President Donald Trump himself called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom”.
Similarly, Rob McCoy, a pastor emeritus from California, said at a Sunday morning church service: “Today, we celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old God-fearing Christian man, a husband, father of two, a patriot, a civil rights activist, and now a Christian martyr.”
Looking back at the history of martyrdom offers insight into what it means for Kirk to be hailed a martyr, both for his memory and for the future of the United States.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 23:00
Man, 71, told cops he shot Charlie Kirk in order to give real shooter time to escape
A 71-year-old audience member present when Charlie Kirk was shot dead, shouted at a police officer, “I shot him, now shoot me”, in a bid to give the real shooter more time to escape, police have said.
New police documents obtained by news outlet Fox13 allege that the man, named as George Zinn, drew police focus in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s shooting, which led to him being charged with obstruction of justice.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:45
Speaker Johnson says politicians shouldn’t call opponents ‘enemies’ — but won’t criticize Trump for doing just that
House Speaker Mike Johnson said political leaders should not call their opponents “enemies” — but declined to criticize Donald Trump for his long-running habit of doing exactly that.
Johnson urged lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to respectfully engage with each other and to “turn down the temperature and the violent rhetoric” following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last Wednesday.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:30
Reminder: The charges filed against Robinson
Count 1: Aggravated murder
Count 2: Felony discharge of firearm
(Aggregating factors on counts 1 and 2, based on targeting Kirk based on political expression and knowing children were present and would witness the homicide)
Count 3: Obstruction of justice, for moving and concealing rifle
Count 4: Obstruction of justice, for disposing clothing
Count 5: Witness tampering, for directing roommate to delete texts
Count 6: Witness tampering, directing roommate to stay silent
Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child, for committing homicide knowing children present
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:28
Next hearing set for September 29
Judge Tony Graf sets the next court date, again virtually, for September 29 at 10 a.m.
Earlier, Robinson nodded when the judge told him he would remain jailed, without bail, while the case proceeds.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:16
Judge to appoint lawyer to represent Robinson
Tyler Robinson appears at his first court hearing (via REUTERS)
Judge Tony Graf, of the Fourth District Court, determines that Tyler Robinson is indigent.
He will appoint a lawyer to represent him.
The judge is now reading the charges out to Robinson, noting that he possibly faces the death penalty.
Robinson appears to be listening closely and showing no emotion.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:09
Robinson appears virtually for his first court hearing
Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, is appearing virtually in his first court appearance.
He is sitting in front of a white wall and wearing what looks like a green vest.
Robinson stated his name to the judge.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 22:06
How did Tyler Robinson come to turn himself in?
According to the charging document, on the evening of September 11, 2025, as law enforcement continued their investigation, Tyler Robinson went to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with his parents and a family friend to turn himself in.
Here’s what we learned today about what his parents told the authorities:
Robinson’s mother stated the following to police. On September 11, 2025, the day after the shooting, Robinson’s mother saw the photo of the shooter in the news and thought the shooter looked like her son. Robinson’s mother called her son and asked him where he was. He said he was at home sick and that he had also been at home sick on September 10th. Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspected shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed.
Robinson’s mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left – becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views. In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robinson said was a “stupid venue” for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate.
Robinson’s father reported that when his wife showed him the surveillance image of the suspected shooter in the news, he agreed that it looked like their son. He also believed that the rifle that police suspected the shooter used matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift. As a result, Robinson’s father contacted his son and asked him to send a photo of the rifle. Robinson did not respond. However, Robinson’s father spoke on the phone with Robinson. Robinson implied that he planned to take his own life. Robinson’s parents were able to convince him to meet at their home.
As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it. When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there is too much evil and the guy [Charlie Kirk] spreads too much hate. They talked about Robinson turning himself in and convinced Robinson to speak with a family friend who is a retired deputy sheriff. At Robinson’s father’s request, the family friend met with Robinson and his parents and convinced Robinson to turn himself in.
The family friend spoke to police and reported telling Robinson that it would be best if he brought all evidence with him to the sheriff’s office to avoid police having to search his parent’s home. The family friend also asked Robinson if he had any clothes that were related to what he did. Robinson replied that he had disposed of the clothes in different areas.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 21:40
Durbin reiterates opening remarks from Kash Patel hearing
Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin has tweeted out part of his opening remarks from today’s hearing and testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel.
Republicans are not “Nazis.”
Democrats are not “evil.”
Democrats are not responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Republicans are not responsible for the murder of Melissa Hortman.
Opponents are not enemies. We’re Americans.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 21:20
Outrage as pro-Trump rapper and country singer release pro-lynching song
Over a banjo riff, the chorus of “Good vs Evil” from MAGA rapper Forgiato Blow and country singer JJ Lawhorn repeats instructions for hanging people at “sundown,” an apparent reference to “sundown towns” that violently enforce racial segregation.
The song calls for “a big tall tree and a short piece of rope” to “hang ‘em up high at sundown” and “leave ‘em swinging so the folks all know you don’t mess around in our town.”
Alex Woodward has the story.
Oliver O’Connell16 September 2025 21:05