PROVO, UT — (BrooklandNews.com) — Sept. 16, 2025 — Jeff Gray, Utah County Attorney, announced Tuesday that they would seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson.
Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, was charged with felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Gray, the Utah County attorney, said in a press conference. “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.”
The press conference also revealed that Robinson had planned the killing for nearly a week, and he confessed to his transgender partner about the killing.
Inside the probable cause affidavit, messages between the two. Robinson is alleged to have sent messages to his partner, “stating a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left, and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel. The messages also refer to engraving bullets, and a mention of a scope and the rifle being unique. Messages from the contact Tyler also mention that he had changed outfits,” the affidavit said.
The conversation would begin after Robinson texted his partner, “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard,” the message read, according to Gray. The note under the keyboard read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” After reading the note, Robinson’s roommate texted him, asking if he was joking. Robinson replied, “I’m still okay, my love. It shouldn’t be long before I can come home, but I still need to grab my rifle. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret until I was old and gone. I’m sorry to involve you.”
Video and images released by law enforcement would lead to Robinson’s parents questioning whether that was their son. “Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspect shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed,” Gray said.Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said.
“Robinson implied that he planned to take his own life. Robinson’s parents were able to convince him to meet at their home. As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to and just wanted to end it,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said. Gray mentioned that a family friend, who was also a former investigator, would persuade Robinson to surrender himself. Additionally, the family friend would advise Robinson to bring evidence to prevent his parents’ home from being searched.
Robinson is set to make a virtual appearance in court at 4 p.m. CT. For a deeper dive into the moment the killing of Charlie Kirk occurred, click here.