Charlie Kirk’s killer Tyler Robinson charged with murder, faces death penalty

(CNN) — PROVO, UTAH — Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared virtually for his first court hearing since he was formally charged with aggravated murder on September 16.

Judge Tony F. Graf said Tuesday that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, will remain in custody, without bail.

“Mr. Robinson at this time, you will remain in custody, without bail,” Graf said.

Graf said he reviewed Robinson’s financial situation and found that he is “indigent,” meaning he cannot afford legal fees.

Graf said he was “provisionally” appointing an attorney for Robinson, and that person need to file paperwork about their qualifications to the court before the next hearing.

Robinson faces seven criminal counts, including aggravated murder.

The next hearing date for the suspected shooter is set for September 29, 10 a.m. local time (noon ET).

Earlier Tuesday, Robinson was formally charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced the charges at a press conference Tuesday.

Gray said he intends to seek the death penalty.

Gray noted it was the mother of the suspected shooter who identified her son through photos released by authorities.

Court documents allege that Robinson’s mother, “explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left – becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.”

“She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders,” court documents filed Tuesday say.

“This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views.”

After Tyler Robinson’s parents became concerned that surveillance images of a suspect that authorities released looked like their son, and that a rifle that police believed was used in Charlie Kirk’s killing “matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift,” his father called him, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said.

The father contacted his son and asked him to send a picture of the rifle, but Robinson didn’t respond, Gray said. The father subsequently spoke on the phone with his son, who “implied that he planned to take his own life,” Gray said.

Robinson’s parents were then “able to convince him to meet at their home,” Gray said.

While talking to his parents at their home, Robinson implied that he shot Kirk, “and stated that he couldn’t go to jail, and just wanted to end it,” Gray said. When Robinson was then asked why he did it, “Robinson explained there is too much evil, and the guy (referring to Charlie Kirk) spreads too much hate,” Gray said, reading from a probable cause statement filed in court.

The day of the shooting, Robinson texted his roommate to locate a note he had left which said he had the “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk,” Gray said.

“On September 10, 2025, the roommate received a text message from Robinson, which said, ‘Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.’ The roommate looked under the key board and found a note that stated, ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.’ Police found a photograph of this note,” Gray said.

According to Gray, after reading the text from Robinson, the roommate had responded, “What? You’re joking, right?”

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