(WDNews) — Authorities revealed Tuesday that the 22-year-old Utah man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University allegedly planned the killing for at least a week and later confessed to his romantic partner.
Tyler Robinson, of Washington, Utah, is charged with aggravated murder and several other crimes. He appeared by video from jail for a brief court hearing, where a judge said an attorney would be appointed to represent him. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he intends to seek the death penalty and that Robinson will remain jailed without bond.
According to charging documents, investigators found a note under Robinson’s computer keyboard saying he planned to kill Kirk and had been developing the plan over a week. Gray said Robinson targeted Kirk for his political views and carried out the shooting knowing children were present and could witness the killing.
Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and confidant of former President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking during a Turning Point USA event on the UVU campus.
Gray said Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the rifle used in the attack — a weapon that belonged to Robinson’s grandfather and had been given to him by his father. Robinson allegedly told his partner he wanted to return to the campus to retrieve the rifle but never did.
In text messages, Robinson told his partner Kirk was targeted because he had “had enough of his hatred,” adding, “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Gray said Robinson also left a note for his partner that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
After the shooting, Robinson allegedly hid the rifle, discarded the clothing he wore during the attack, and instructed his roommate to delete incriminating messages and avoid speaking with police.
Moments before he was shot, Kirk had been answering a question about mass shootings, gun violence, and transgender people. Kirk, a father of two, had become known for his combative approach to conservatism, often criticizing racial justice movements, the media, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Gray said Robinson’s partner is transgender and has been cooperating with investigators. Robinson’s mother told authorities her son had shifted left politically over the past year and became more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights after beginning that relationship, which strained his relationship with his father, whom Robinson described in a text as a “diehard MAGA” supporter.
State records show Robinson is registered to vote but listed as inactive, having not voted in the past two general elections.
Robinson’s mother identified him after police released a photo of the suspected gunman. She and his father confronted him, and Robinson expressed suicidal thoughts before agreeing to surrender to a retired sheriff’s deputy family friend. He was arrested last week.
Investigators searched his family’s home in Washington, Utah — about 240 miles southwest of UVU — as part of the investigation. Robinson grew up in the St. George area and was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a church spokesperson. Social media posts show he has two younger brothers and grew up enjoying outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and target shooting.
Authorities have not said whether Robinson’s partner will face charges. The motive behind his political shift remains unclear.
