Photo: Alamy
The suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk has officially been charged with seven crimes, including aggravated murder, which makes the alleged killer eligible for the death penalty.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, was charged with seven counts on Tuesday by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Gray said during a press conference announcing the charges.
Gray continued, “…It is also an offense to the state, and to the peace and enjoyment of Utah and of all those who visit here. But Charlie Kirk’s murder also strikes a more personal and intimate chord: Charlie Kirk was first and foremost a husband and a father to two beautiful young children. He was a son, he was a brother, and a friend. Like all murders, the senseless and needless taking of Charlie Kirk’s life has shattered the lives of those he loved, and those who loved him.”
Robinson’s seven counts are as follows, according to Utah County court documents:
- Count one: aggravated murder (conviction on this count carries the death penalty in the state of Utah),
- Count 2: felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury,
- Count 3: Obstruction of Justice in concealing or removing the firearm used to kill Charlie Kirk,
- Count 4: Obstruction of Justice in concealing or removing clothing worn during the shooting,
- Count 5: Tampering with a witness (according to the charges, Robinson allegedly attempted to “induce or otherwise cause his roommate” to withhold testimony or information related to the investigation, regarding documents or incriminating text messages),
- Count 6: Tampering with a witness, in this case, directing or inducing his roommate to allegedly “stay silent if police questioned the roommate,”
- Count 7: Violent offense committed in the presence of a child younger than 14 years, “with knowledge that a child was present and may have seen or heard the commission of the criminal homicide.”
According to Gray, he will file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Robinson on Tuesday afternoon. For this reason, Gray said, Robinson will be held without bail.
