Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, US News, World News, Politics
Madison Burgess
Charlie Kirk's suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, appeared virtually in court for the first time yesterday (Tuesday 16 September) - and people have picked up on a small detail.
31-year-old right-wing activist and influencer Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday 10 September, while speaking at a university event in Utah.
Prosecutors allege 22-year-old Robinson shot the Turning Point USA co-founder in the neck with a bolt-action rifle from the roof of a nearby campus building.
He has been charged with aggravated murder, as well as six other charges including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Advert
As per the BBC, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has said that prosecutors will seek the death penalty, which is legal in Utah.
While appearing on a video call from Utah County Jail to speak with the judge, Robinson did not enter a plea to any of the charges.
He remained silent throughout the call and 'appeared calm,' speaking only to confirm his name, reports Sky News.
At times he nodded slightly but mostly stared straight ahead as the judge read the charges against him and appointed a lawyer to represent him.
Judge Tony Graf read out the charges against the 22-year-old and confirmed that a further hearing would be held at the end of the month.
However, those who have been following the high-profile case picked up on what Robinson was wearing.
The suspect wore a green vest with black straps, which has been identified as a suicide prevention vest.
The vest is a tear-resistant single-piece outer garment that is generally designed to stop the person wearing it from taking their own life or harming themselves.
The Week reported that according to court officials, the ‘suicide smock’ is normal for high-profile prisoners at the Utah County Security Centre.
Heavy quilted garments like this are reportedly made from quilted nylon Cordura, an extremely tough material that can't be torn, folded, or rolled.
Announcing the charges against Robinson, Utah County attorney Jeff Gray said: “The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy.”
A Utah Valley University police officer was watching the university campus crowd from an 'elevated position' and identified the roof of the Losee Centre as a potential position for a gunman, Gray said.
He said that the officer found evidence on the roof immediately and spurred officers to direct their attention to surveillance video leading to the roof.
Gray added that Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the rifle, and he says that Robinson discarded the rifle and clothing and asked his roommate to conceal evidence.
Robinson also allegedly left a note under a keyboard saying he planned to kill Kirk and confessed after the shooting, documents show.
Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and carried out a search at his family’s home in Washington, Utah, about 240 miles south-west of where the shooting happened.
While authorities say Robinson has not been co-operating with investigators, they say his family and friends have been talking.
Utah governor Spencer Cox said over the weekend that those who know Robinson say his politics shifted left in recent years and he spent a lot of time in the 'dark corners of the internet'.
Investigators are still looking for a motive for the attack and the next hearing is scheduled for September 29, the judge confirmed.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.