Video: Officials seeking death penalty against Charlie Kirk assassination suspect

Law enforcement officials announced official charges on Tuesday against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. Officials confirmed that the 22-year-old suspect could face the death penalty. 

During a press conference on Tuesday, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced that  Robinson was being charged with felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, and commission of a violent offence in the presence of a child.

Addressing reporters during Tuesday’s press conference, Gray said, “The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy. Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas and a search for truth, understanding and a more perfect union.”

Gray explained that while Kirk’s assassination is “an offense against the state and to the peace and enjoyment of the people of Utah and of all those who visit here,” it also “strikes a more personal and intimate chord” as the 31-year-old conservative activist was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend.

Gray announced during Tuesday’s press conference that he is planning to submit a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in Robinson’s case.

“Following the press conference, I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty,” the county attorney told reporters. “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.” 

Gray confirmed that the 22-year-old suspect will remain in the Utah County Jail without bail as the justice system moves forward with the case and pursues the death penalty.

According to NBC News, Gray told reporters that the identification of the 22-year-old suspect was partially due to his family recognizing him after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released photos of Robinson following Kirk’s assassination. 

The county attorney confirmed that Robinson’s mother told law enforcement officials 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.” 

Gray also told reporters that the suspect’s mother told law enforcement officials that Robinson “began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders.”