Everything we know about Charlie Kirk’s suspected shooter Tyler Robinson after he makes first court appearance
An extraordinary exchange of text messages between Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, and his roommate has been released.
Far-right figure Kirk was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday (10 September). He was addressing a question about gun violence when he was fatally shot in the neck.
The 31-year-old activist was known for his hardline views on the US Civil Rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr, which he called a 'huge mistake', as well as gun violence, women's rights, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Kirk's death sparked a wave of protests by sympathisers, as well as messages of mourning from President Donald Trump and other government figures.
Advert
Now, more information has been released after the suspect was publicly named as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah.
Who is Tyler Robinson?
Officials released a mugshot of Robinson, from Washington, Utah, ahead of his first court appearance, showing him wearing a vest - a garment that is generally designed to stop the person wearing it from taking their own life or harming themselves.
It is believed that Robinson's dad is a police officer, while his mum works at Intermountain Support Coordination Services, the Independent reports.
According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a family member told investigators that Robinson had become 'more political' in recent years, and during a dinner conversation before the attack, he had discussed Kirk's upcoming event at Utah Valley University.
Robinson appeared in court via video link from Utah County Jail and spoke only to confirm his name.
County Attorney Jeff Gray said: "[The] defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on his political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide".
What is in the text message exchange?
An extraordinary exchange of messages between Robinson and a roommate - who is is believed to have been dating - has been made public, in which Robinson appears to confess to fatally shooting Kirk.
It begins with Robinson asking the roommate, who has not been named, to 'drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard'.
When they checked, they found a note which allegedly said: 'I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.'
The astonished roommate then asks Robinson: "What?????????????? You're joking, right????"
Robinson replied: "I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you."
The roommate then asks him: "you weren't the one who did it right????" and he responded: "I am, I'm sorry".
In the exchange, Robinson allegedly goes on to claim that he had been planning the attack for 'a bit over a week', and that he 'had enough of his [Kirk's] hatred'.
"Some hate can't be negotiated out."
What are the charges?
Robinson has since been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime when children are present.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray confirmed that prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty.
Robinson is currently being held at the Utah County Jail in a special housing unit, and has not been granted bail.
Kit Roberts