By James Oliphant
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Prosecutors in Utah on Tuesday charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk with a long-range rifle shot on September 10.
Here is what you need to know about the case against Robinson:
THE CHARGES: Robinson is charged with one count each of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and violent offense committed in front of a child. He is charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of witness tampering.
Prosecutors said Robinson set about killing Kirk for his political views and after the shooting, hiding the rifle and the clothing he wore. He then allegedly tried to persuade his roommate to delete an incriminating text exchange and to not talk to police.
The state is seeking the death penalty for Robinson, who will be held without bail.
THE ALLEGED CRIME: According to the criminal information document released on Tuesday, Robinson allegedly planned Kirk’s murder for more than a week and did so because Kirk, he said, was “spreading hate.”
Surveillance cameras reviewed by police showed that at the time of the incident on September 10, someone who appeared to be Robinson entered the campus of Utah Valley University from the north. The suspect wore a dark shirt with an American flag, a dark baseball cap and large sunglasses. As he proceeded across the campus, he walked with an unusual gait that was consistent with a rifle being hidden in his pants, the document said.
THE MESSAGES: According to the charging document, police found the rifle allegedly used in the shooting near the scene and discovered messages that had been etched into each round:
Fired cartridge: NoTices Bulge OWO What’s This?
Second cartridge: Hey Facist! Catch! [arrow symbols]
Third cartridge: O Bella ciao, Bella ciao Bella ciao Ciao, ciao!
Fourth cartridge: If you Read This, You Are GAY Lmao
According to the document, Robinson referred to these messages as “mostly a big meme.”
THE FAMILY: Robinson allegedly was confronted by his parents after they were concerned that the photos released by police looked like their son.
Robinson’s mother told investigators that he had become more political and had started to lean more to the left – becoming more pro-gay and supportive of trans rights. She said Robinson was dating his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. Earlier, Robinson had told his father that Kirk would be holding an event at the university. He accused Kirk of spreading hate, the document said.
After a talk with his father, Robinson agreed to turn himself in to authorities on September 11.
THE ROOMMATE: On the day of the shooting, Robinson texted his roommate, the charging document said, telling him to look for a note under his keyboard. The roommate found the note, which read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Stunned, the roommate texted Robinson further, according to the document, where he further implicated himself. Asked directly if he committed the murder, Robinson replied: “I am. I’m sorry.”
Robinson said he decided to try and kill Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” according to the document.
THE SEARCH: Police later executed a search warrant on Robinson’s residence, the document said. During that search, police discovered a shell casing with etchings like the etchings found on the shells in the abandoned rifle. Police also found several targets with bullet holes in Robinson’s home, the document said.
(Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Frank McGurty and David Gregorio)
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