Prosecutors in Utah have revealed that the man accused of shooting and killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk allegedly confessed to the act in a secret note left for his roommate.
Alongside the note, investigators say they have secured text messages, DNA evidence, and statements from the suspect’s parents as part of the case.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray on Tuesday announced seven charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, including aggravated murder, felony firearm discharge, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime in the presence of children.
Prosecutors said they will pursue the death penalty over the killing, which happened as Kirk was addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
Gray told reporters that Robinson’s alleged confession came in the form of a note tucked under his keyboard at home. The prosecutor said Robinson directed his roommate to find it in a text message that read: “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.” The note allegedly read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it.”
The roommate, described as Robinson’s romantic partner, later confronted him in a series of text messages. In those exchanges, Robinson is quoted as writing: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.” He also allegedly admitted: “To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”
The prosecutor said Robinson was arrested last Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt. He has not entered a plea and has not confessed to police. He is being held without bail in a special housing unit at Utah County Jail and made his first court appearance remotely on Tuesday.
Investigators also shared details about how Robinson’s parents began to suspect his involvement. Gray explained that Robinson’s mother recognized him in a video circulated after the shooting and confronted him.
Robinson initially denied involvement, claiming he was sick at home. But after further conversations, his parents grew more concerned when he implied he might take his own life rather than face prison.
With help from a retired deputy sheriff who was a family friend, Robinson’s parents persuaded him to surrender to authorities. According to the indictment, Robinson told his parents that “there is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate,” in reference to Kirk.
Prosecutors also presented forensic evidence, including DNA allegedly recovered from the trigger of the rifle believed to have been used in the attack.
Robinson’s father reportedly thought the weapon matched a bolt-action rifle that once belonged to Robinson’s grandfather.
Authorities further said Robinson described his movements after the shooting in texts to his roommate, noting how he struggled to retrieve the weapon because police had locked down much of the area.
He also allegedly instructed his partner to delete their conversations and remain silent if approached by investigators, which formed the basis for the witness tampering charges.
Kirk was killed by a single shot to the neck as he responded to an audience question about mass shootings by transgender individuals. Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed others nearby, including children.
Gray noted that while Robinson had become more politically engaged in recent years and had entered a relationship with a transgender partner, whether Kirk was targeted for his views on transgender issues would be a matter for the jury.
