Prosecutors to seek death penalty for suspected shooter in Charlie Kirk killing
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A photo of Charlie Kirk is displayed during a vigil on Sept. 10, 2025. Photo: Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the case of the 22-year-old suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a spokesperson for the Utah County Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday.
The big picture: The investigation into the alleged shooter's motivations is ongoing, but filing the charges begins the criminal case in a death that has ratcheted up tensions as people on the left and the right try to blame the other ideological side for America's increasing political violence.
What they're saying: "I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty," Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced on Tuesday.
- Gray said suspect Tyler Robinson is "believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk's political expression."
- "I do not take this decision lightly, and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime," Gray said.
State of play: Robinson's seven charges include murder, weapons offenses, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
- As prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, Robinson will continue to be held without bail in the Utah County Jail.
- Agents are still investigating Robinson's motive for killing Kirk, although prominent members of the Trump administration are blaming left-wing ideology and social media networks.
- The president himself has said that he will find anyone involved in Kirk's death. Trump vowed to target other types of "political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it," in a video message posted shortly after the shooting.
Zoom in: In Utah, aggravated murder can be punished by death, life in prison with parole, or 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to a press release from the prosecuting attorney's office.
- Shortly after announcing the suspect was in custody last week, Trump said that he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty for his actions.
What we're watching: Robinson is set to appear in court for the first time at 5pm ET on Tuesday.
- At that hearing, the state will need to show probable cause that Robinson committed the crimes and that there is enough evidence proceed to trial.
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