Tyler Robinson, suspect in Charlie Kirk killing, charged with murder
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Utah County attorney Jeff Gray announcing the charges against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing US conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERS
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- Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder for the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, who was shot at a Utah university.
- Utah County attorney Jeff Gray seeks the death penalty, citing text messages where Robinson said he "had enough of his hatred" towards Kirk.
- FBI director Kash Patel faces criticism over the handling of the case, amid White House plans to address an alleged left-wing terror movement.
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PROVO, Utah - The suspect in the murder of prominent US conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has been formally charged with his murder, prosecutors in Utah announced Sept 16.
Mr Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week
Authorities said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson used a rifle to shoot Mr Kirk with a single bullet to the neck from a rooftop. He was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt.
“After reviewing the evidence that law enforcement has collected thus far, I am... charging Tyler James Robinson, age 22, with the following crimes,” Utah County attorney Jeff Gray told a press conference.
“Count one, aggravated murder, a capital offence, for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others.”
Six other charges include obstruction of justice and witness tampering, allegedly for ordering his roommate to stay silent.
“I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty,” Mr Gray added.
“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.”
Mr Gray cited lengthy text message exchanges between Robinson and his roommate, whom he described as “a biological male who was transitioning genders.”
Robinson and the roommate were in a romantic relationship, Mr Gray said.
In one part of the exchange, the roommate, who was not named, asked Robinson why he had killed Mr Kirk.
“‘I had enough of his hatred,’” Mr Gray cited the messages as saying. “‘Some hate can’t be negotiated out.’”
Robinson, who is being held without bail, was expected to make an initial court appearance later on Sept 16.
Mr Gray explained that in line with practice in the county, this appearance would be by video link.
Mr Kirk, a father of two, used his audiences on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to build support for conservative talking points, including strong criticism of the transgender rights movement.
A polarising figure, he often posted edited clips of his interactions during debates at his many college events.
FBI director Kash Patel has been heavily criticised for his actions in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, including having quickly announced the arrest of a separate suspect, only to confirm they had been released two hours later.
Mr Patel faced a grilling from a Senate panel
Mr Patel has come under fire from both the right and the left since being named by Mr Trump to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the nation’s premier law enforcement agency.
On Sept 14, the White House said it would be pursuing an alleged left-wing “domestic terror movement” in the wake of Mr Kirk’s killing, prompting alarm that such a campaign could be used to silence political dissent. AFP
