Utah Man Charged with Capital Murder for Shooting of MAGA Influencer Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of gunning down MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk, texted his romantic partner that he committed the assassination because he'd "had enough" of Mr. Kirk's "hatred," prosecutors alleged. Robinson faces seven charges, including capital murder, and prosecutors will seek the death penalty. The shooting occurred during one of Mr. Kirk's regular campus events, where he was debating students in front of 3,000 people.

Key Takeaways:

• Robinson allegedly fired a single shot from the roof of a university building, striking Mr. Kirk in the neck, and left a note saying he would "take out" Mr. Kirk.
• Mr. Robinson's DNA was found on the trigger of the murder weapon, a bolt-action rifle, and he had previously told his partner in text messages that he had committed the shooting.
• The prosecutor said Mr. Robinson's family convinced him to turn himself in, and his partner found a note under the computer keyboard that read: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
• Mr. Robinson indicated in the text exchange that he had discarded his rifle shortly after the shooting and was trying to retrieve it but could not because a police car was nearby.
• Mr. Robinson's mother told investigators that over the last year, he "had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented."
• Mr. Robinson's partner is transitioning to being a woman, and Mr. Robinson's family ultimately convinced him to turn himself in, after which he did late on the evening after the killing.
• Mr. Robinson's father is described as "pretty diehard maga" since Trump got into office, and his partner replied: "I'm much more worried about you."

Statistics:

• 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is charged with seven counts, including capital murder.
• The shooting occurred during one of Charlie Kirk's regular campus events, where he was debating students in front of 3,000 people.
• Robinson allegedly discarded his rifle shortly after the shooting and was trying to retrieve it but could not because a police car was nearby.
• The first casing, which belonged to the bullet that killed Mr. Kirk, was still in the rifle's chamber, police said.

Sources:

• The Globe and Mail