Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, has been charged with seven counts. If found guilty, prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
According to Jeffrey Gray, head of the District Attorney’s Office in Utah County, Robinson has been charged with seven offences, including premeditated murder, unlawful use of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. The latter charges are connected to his destruction of evidence and instructing friends to delete the messages he had sent them.
Gray stated that prosecutors will request the death penalty for the 22-year-old, who is scheduled to appear at a virtual court hearing on Tuesday. Prosecutors noted that the murder suspect has not been cooperating with law enforcement, although members of his family have.
The prosecution also released the content of text messages exchanged between Robinson and his “transgender partner,” with whom he lived. When asked why he committed the killing, he replied that he “had enough of his [Kirk’s] hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out.” He also said that the inscriptions he engraved on the bullet casings were “a big meme.” Among them were phrases such as: “Hey fascist, catch” – a quote from the video game Helldivers 2 – and “If you’re reading this, you’re gay.” Robinson’s messages, as well as testimony from his father, also revealed that the Mauser rifle used in the murder had originally belonged to his grandfather.
BREAKING: Utah County DA reads the full text message exchange between Charlie Kirk’s assassin and his transgender boyfriend/roommate after committing the murder:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 16, 2025
ROBINSON: "Drop what you're doing, look under my keyboard."
ROOMMATE: "You are joking right?"
ROBINSON: "I am still… pic.twitter.com/epa1HXFJZ4
Court documents filed by investigators further noted that Robinson’s mother testified her son had, in recent years, become increasingly involved in politics and more “pro-gay” and focused on transgender rights.
President Trump and members of his administration blamed the “radical left” for contributing to the murder and announced measures against organisations they say promote political violence.