The 22-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Tyler Robinson is also facing the death penalty if convicted, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced at a press conference. The accused appeared virtually from jail in an anti-suicide vest before a judge at an initial hearing, with the next court date set for September 29.
Officials say Robinson was radicalized online and subscribed to a “leftist” ideology, and said the motive for the killing was a hatred of Kirk.
“There is too much evil in the guy, too much hate,” the alleged assassin said in text messages with his roommate.
Officials have said Robinson refused to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation, after surrendering on the evening of September 11. He showed no emotion during Tuesday’s hearing.
Earlier, it emerged that Robinson said in a group chat on Discord shortly before his arrest: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday,” The Washington Post first reported.
Kirk, a Republican activist and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while hosting an event at a Utah college on September 10.
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Trump accuses Biden of ‘trying to put Charlie Kirk out of business’ with Turning Point investigation
Key Points
- Charlie Kirk shooting suspect officially charged with aggravated murder
- Charlie Kirk suspect’s texts with roommate shed light on motive
- Recap: Tyler Robinson's first court appearance
- Robinson appears in anti-suicide vest before judge via video link
- Man, 71, told cops he shot Charlie Kirk in order to give real shooter time to escape
- Watch LIVE: FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before House panel in aftermath of Charlie Kirk shooting
Watch LIVE: FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before House panel in aftermath of Charlie Kirk shooting after fiery Senate appearance
15:11
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Oliver O'Connell
What is Bella Ciao? The anti-fascist song cited in the Charlie Kirk shooting
16:00
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Oliver O'Connell
Following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, officials reported unspent bullet casings were found at the scene. These were engraved with phrases such as “If you read this, you are GAY Lmao”, “hey fascist! CATCH!” and “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!”
Bella Ciao (literally, “hello beautiful” or “goodbye beautiful”) is a traditional Italian folk song known for its association with the anti-fascist resistance in Italy during the Second World War.
Justin Mallia explains its contemporary significance.
AG Bondi's 'free speech fiasco' attacked by both left and right
15:44
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Oliver O'Connell
CNN’s Harry Enten ran the numbers on how Americans are engaging with the concept of free speech in the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, and the resultant bad news for Attorney General Pam Bondi, already unpopular over her handling of the Epstein Files.
Bondi was attacked in op-eds in both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post over concerns that she was threatening to curtail Americans’ First Amendment rights.
Here’s Enten with the latest polling:
What a disaster for Pam Bondi this whole free speech fiasco has been. Dislike from the left & right.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) September 17, 2025
More people are Googling "free speech" than at any point in at least 5 years!
Bondi is the least liked member of Trump's cabinet with a net popularity rating of -19 points! pic.twitter.com/B11xnJRRm3
And here’s John Bowden on how traditional defenders of free speech rounded on the First Amendment — to the horror of some conservatives:
Raskin slams Patel's 'disturbing' performance
15:35
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Oliver O'Connell
In today’s hearing, House Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin slammed FBI Director Kash Patel’s performance in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk as “so disturbing that even the MAGA base was alarmed.”
The Maryland Democrat said: “When Charlie Kirk was assassinated, while his killer was still on the loose, you decided you didn't need to be at FBI quarters in Washington to work with your team while the chaotic manhunt unfolded. You spent your evening dining in a swanky Midtown Manhattan restaurant, and tweeting out false information that the subject of the shooting was in custody, a statement you had to retract one hour later. Your performance was so disturbing that even the MAGA base was alarmed.”
Trump and Vance to speak at Kirk memorial
15:30
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will give remarks this Sunday at the memorial service for the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to Turning Point USA, which made the announcement on Tuesday.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, will also speak at the memorial, which will take place this Sunday at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Trump and Vance, who had previously confirmed they would attend the memorial, will be joined by a number of other high-profile speakers announced for the event.
Other speakers from the Trump administration and wider MAGAworld include:
- White House chief of staff Susie Wiles
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
- White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller
- White House Office of Presidential Personnel Director Sergio Gor
- Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson
- Donald Trump Jr.
White House press secretary appears to connect earthquake to Charlie Kirk’s death and Biblical prophecy
15:00
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Oliver O'Connell
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday shared a social media post on a personal account suggesting that an earthquake recorded in Utah last week was a sign of God’s anger at the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Leavitt, who describes herself as a devout Christian, shared a post on Instagram that read: “On the night Charlie was shot, a 4.1 earthquake struck Utah. In scripture, 40 represents trials; 41 signifies a shift. It hit at 5:57 local time, 7:57 Eastern.”
“Acts 7:57 describes Stephen, the first martyr, stoned as the crowd silenced his truth. The Bible says the earth trembles when God is angry. That night, as a voice was silenced, the ground groaned.”
She reposted the screenshot of a Twitter post, adding: “Wow.”
Andrew Feinberg has the story.
Kash Patel to face House panel amid criticism of investigation into Charlie Kirk shooting
14:35
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Oliver O'Connell
After yesterday’s contentious appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, DBI Director Kash Patel will shortly sit for questions before the House Judiciary Committee.
Republican Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio has been complimentary of Patel’s work so far as director of the FBI, but he will nevertheless face questions from Democrats on the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation and the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Here’s Eric Garcia in Washington, D.C., with a report on how things went yesterday:
Barack Obama says Charlie Kirk's death was 'horrific and a tragedy' but chastizes Trump's reaction
14:29
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Paul Farrell
Former President Barack Obama called Charlie Kirk’s death “horrific and a tragedy,” during an event at the Jefferson Educational Society in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, reports ABC News.
During his conversation with journalist Steve Scully, Obama also referred to the killing of Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband, calling their deaths “horrific” and a “tragedy.”
“I didn't know Charlie Kirk. I was generally aware of some of his ideas. I think those ideas were wrong, but that doesn't negate the fact that what happened was a tragedy and that I mourn for him and his family,” the 44th president added.
Obama went on to praise Utah Governor Spencer Cox for his handling in the aftermath of the shooting.
“I've been very impressed with Governor Cox in Utah and how he's approached some of these issues. I suspect Governor Cox and I disagree on a whole bunch of stuff.
“He is a Republican, self-professed conservative Republican, but in his response to this tragedy, as well as his history of how he engages with people who are political adversaries, he has shown, I think, that it is possible for us to disagree while abiding by a basic code of how we should engage in public debate.”
The former Illinois senator was less effusive in his praise for Donald Trump.
“When I hear not just our current president, but his aides, who have a history of calling political opponents 'vermin', enemies who need to be 'targeted,' that speaks to a broader problem that we have right now and something that we're going to have to grapple with, all of us.
“Whether we're Democrats, Republicans, Independents, we have to recognize that on both sides, undoubtedly, there are people who are extremists and who say things that are contrary to what I believe are America's core values.”
Obama also said that when he sat in the Oval Office, “those extreme views” were not present.
“I wasn't embracing them. I wasn't empowering them. I wasn't putting the weight of the United States government behind extremist views. And that…when we have the weight of the United States government behind extremist views, we've got a problem.”
Utah Valley University students return to class Wednesday one week on from shooting
14:18
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Paul Farrell
A week on from the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, students at Utah Valley University resumed classes on Wednesday.
One student who was at the event to see Kirk told CNN about his reflections on the shooting.
“I was literally a few feet away from him and when the tragic shooting happened, I was squarely facing him, so I watched that unfold. In my world, you don’t hear guns. This was very new for me, not only to hear one, but to have it fired at someone right in front of you and have them bleed out in front of you was horrific.”
On Monday, officials and faculty met for a virtual town hall in which options to help students adjust following the incident were discussed.
These included canceling assignments, offering online learning and editing the curriculum.
During that meeting, the issue of enhanced security was also raised.
“We’ve never had to check for snipers before,” Director of government internships for the university’s Herbert Institute of Public Policy Erik Nystul told CNN.
Memorial to Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska appears outside of US embassy in Moscow
13:54
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Paul Farrell
A memorial to Charlie Kirk and to Iryna Zarutska has sprung up outside of the U.S. embassy in Moscow, according to Russian state media.
Kirk, 31, was an outspoken supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Underneath a picture of Kirk, a quote reads, “Crimea was always a part of Russia. It should never have been handed over. Russians who want to be a part of Russia live in Crimea.”
The activist made those remarks in an April 2025 episode of this podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show.
Zarutska was stabbed to death while riding on a train in North Carolina in August. President Donald Trump has called for her killer to receive the death penalty.
A discussion about her death led Fox News host Brian Kilmeade to call for mentally ill homeless people to be euthanized. Kilmeade later apologized for his comments.
Gavin Newsom says Charlie Kirk's shooting 'underscored' epidemic of male loneliness
13:14
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Paul Farrell
California Governor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that Charlie Kirk’s death “underscored” the epidemic of male loneliness in the U.S.
“We have an epidemic of loneliness, and so much of that is manifesting and metastasizing online in very profound and consequential ways. And last week only underscored that further,” the Democrat said.
Newsom announced Tuesday that volunteers are being sought across the Golden State to help to address the issue of male loneliness.
The governor added that he understood Kirk’s “influence” over young men.
“There’s power of emulation. My party needs to recognize what you (Kirk) have achieved in this movement, that you continue to grow,” Newsom said.
Tyler Robinson's mother says that she noticed a marked shift in his politics over the last year
12:47
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Paul Farrell
In court documents, Tyler Robinson’s mother said that she noticed her son “become more political” over the past 12 months.
Robinson’s mother said the suspect in the shooting death of activist Charlie Kirk was vocal in supporting “pro-gay and trans rights,” according to charging documents.
She added that her son’s views were in sharp contrast to her own and those of her husband.
In the filings, it’s confirmed that Robinson’s father was the person who turned him into law enforcement.
“Robinson’s father reported that when his wife showed him the surveillance image of the suspected shooter in the news, he agreed that it looked like their son.”
He then confronted his son, who “implied that he was the shooter” before contacting authorities.
Tucker Carlson claims that Charlie Kirk was 'did not like' Netanyahu
12:25
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Paul Farrell
During Monday’s episode of his online show, Tucker Carlson claimed that Charlie Kirk “did not like Bibi Netanyahu,” according to Mediaite.
Carlson added that Kirk, who was killed last week in what many conservatives have said was a political assassination, was “appalled by what was happening in Gaza.”
The former Fox News star told his audience that he was outraged by Netanyahu’s response to Kirk’s death.
“Basically made it all about him and all about his country, immediately trying to take the energy, the sadness, the grief that people felt over Charlie’s murder and redirect it towards support for whatever project he’s involved in.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything lower than his attempt to hijack Charlie’s memory and use it for his own political ends, particularly because what he said was completely untrue.”
Stephen Miller's wife says she has been doxxed in the wake of Kirk's death
11:00
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Paul Farrell
In an interview on Hannity on Tuesday evening, Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie, who formerly worked in the White House, said that she has been doxxed by liberal “terrorists.”
“The morning after our dear friend Charlie was assassinated, I take a step out on my porch and I had a lady saying, ‘I’m watching you,” Katie Miller claimed.
“They then doxxed my family by distributing flyers all over our neighborhood saying my husband, Stephen, is a Nazi, is a war criminal and had our home address.”
“They spread it all over our neighborhood and have continued to do so, not only at my children's parks, but around town.”
Katie Miller earlier posted a video on social media showing apparant vandalism outside of her home. One message read, “Stephen Miller is destroying democracy.”
“I will not sit idly by while anyone else is murdered. I will not sit by while they come after my friends, when they come after the people who are fighting for our fellow Americans,” she added in her interview with Sean Hannity.
Argentina's president begins speech with tribute to Charle Kirk
11:00
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Paul Farrell
Argentina’s President Javier Milei began a speech in Paraguay at a CPAC conference with a tribute to Charlie Kirk.
“I want to begin by remembering Charlie Kirk, one of the best popularisers of the ideas of liberty,” Milei, a keen ally of President Donald Trump, said.
“His death must not paralyse us. We have an obligation to stay on the front line and not yield in the battle for ideas. Sooner or later, good and truth will triumph.”
The event earlier held a minute of silence for Kirk, reports The Buenos Aires Times.
The Argentinian president continues to battle allegations of corruption while he attempts to instigate economic reforms.
Mississippi city rejects proposal to rename street after Charlie Kirk
10:45
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Paul Farrell
The board of aldermen in Hernando, Mississippi, rejected a proposal to rename a city street after Charlie Kirk following a public meeting.
During the meeting, citizen Chris Pierce described what Kirk meant to him.
“I don’t want to talk about who Charlie has changed. I want to talk about who Charlie is going to change. He may not be here on this Earth today, but he is alive in millions of millions of people like me,” Pierce said, according to WMC.
“I fought for this country and people’s right to free speech and to say what they want to say, but I disagree with renaming this street after this gentleman because he is divisive. I think we should name it after a person that can bring this community together,” Minor said.
Sen. Ted Cruz rages at CNN's Kaitlan Collins for saying the public don't know the 'motive' for Kirk's killing
10:15
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Paul Farrell
In a segment on The Source on Tuesday night, Sen. Ted Cruz fumed at host Kaitlan Collins after she said, “We don’t have a motive yet. We don’t know yet, we’re waiting.”
“Of course, we know. Come on. We don’t have a motive yet? Really? Really, that’s CNN’s position? He just happened to fire the gun in celebration. You can’t tell the motive here?” Cruz snapped.
“Senator, that’s not what I said, and I said law enforcement hasn’t laid out a direct motive. They’ve laid out a lot of evidence here of these messages,” Collins responded.
“Actually, they have. They’ve said that he was a left-wing activist who hated Charlie Kirk... They have. That statement is false. What you just said is false. What you just said is false, Kaitlan. You just said law enforcement has not laid out a motive. That is objectively false. That is objectively false. What you are saying is objectively false, and CNN should not be engaged in misinformation.,” Cruz said.
During the interview, Collins tried to interrupt Cruz. When the 2016 presidential candidate was finished, the host said, “It’s not misinformation, senator.”
Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said that Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: “I had had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson also left a note for his partner hidden under a keyboard that said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” according to Gray.
Man, 71, told cops he shot Charlie Kirk in order to give real shooter time to escape, documents say
10:00
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Maroosha Muzaffar
A 71-year-old audience member present when Charlie Kirk was shot dead, shouted at a police officer, “I shot him, now shoot me”, in a bid to give the real shooter more time to escape, police have said.
New police documents obtained by news outlet Fox13 allege that the man, named as George Zinn, drew police focus in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s shooting, which led to him being charged with obstruction of justice.
The documents say that moments after Kirk was shot in the neck in front of thousands of students at Utah State University, Zinn approached police officers shouting, “I shot him, now shoot me.” Despite no weapon being obvious, Zinn continued to claim he was the shooter, which led to his arrest.
When asked about the location of the gun by the arresting officers, Zinn refused to answer.
While being escorted from the scene in handcuffs, he again told police to “just shoot me”.
Read more here:
Los Angeles-area teacher under investigation after Kirk memorial at high school is destroyed
09:45
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Paul Farrell
A teacher at Villa Park High School in Villa Park, California, just outside of Anaheim, is under investigation after a Charlie Kirk memorial outside of the campus was destroyed.
“We have an obligation to investigate. That doesn’t mean that the person is guilty or not guilty. We’re investigating,” Supt. Rachel H. Monarrez told The Los Angeles Times.
According to the report, the morning after Kirk’s death, students brought bouquets and notes about the conservative activist and placed them in an unrelated 9/11 memorial.
Hours later, students realized the Kirk tributes had been removed. Those students claimed that a teacher was seen putting the materials in her car. They were later found in a nearby dumpster.
This comes as numerous people around the country have been fired or suspended from their jobs for allegedly celebrating Kirk’s death.
ABC news anchor quits, saying she faced retaliation after teary Charlie Kirk tribute: ‘First targeted for honoring him’
09:30
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Maroosha Muzaffar
An Illinois TV anchor resigned from her local ABC-affiliated station after she says she was suspended over an emotional “non-partisan tribute” to her first boss, Charlie Kirk.
Beni Rae Harmony announced she was leaving WICS-ABC20 Springfield, claiming to have been “targeted” for her teary-eyed on-air tribute to Kirk, 31, after he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University Wednesday.
She made the announcement as suspect Tyler Robinson appeared in Utah court on Tuesday for murder charges in connection with the assassination.
“Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for honoring him on air,” Harmony wrote Monday on X.
Read the story here:
Trump rants about Turning Point USA investigation in 3am rant from UK
09:07
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Paul Farrell
In an early morning tirade, President Donald Trump raged at reports that Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA was among the targets of special prosecutor Jack Smith’s ‘Arctic Frost’ probe.
The president arrived in London for an official state visit alongside the first lady on Tuesday evening.
“Why was the wonderful Turning Point under INVESTIGATION by “Deranged” Jack Smith and the Corrupt & Incompetent Biden Administration. They tried to force Charlie, and many other people and movements, out of business,” the president wrote.
“They Weaponized the Justice Department against Sleepy Joe Biden’s Political Opponents, including ME!”
“Every leading legal analyst and pundit said this trial was wrong and should not have been allowed to go forward. But it did because of a Corrupt Judge who will hopefully pay a very big price for his illegal actions, someday!”
On Monday, Senator Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed documents that showed Turning Point USA was under investigation by Biden’s FBI and Department of Justice in 2022.
Watch: District Attorney reads text message 'confession' between Charlie Kirk suspect and roommate
09:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Robinson allegedly told partner he had ‘had enough’ of Kirk’s ‘hatred’
08:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Tyler Robinson, 22, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, allegedly told his partner in text messages he had “had enough of his hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out,” prosecutors said.
Robinson’s mother told police earlier that he had become “more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented” in recent years.
His partner, who was living with him, had been transitioning to being a woman from a man, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Prosecutors also told the court, citing his alleged text messages, that he “had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age”.
In the alleged text exchange with his partner, he also apologized for involving them.
Gov Spencer Cox of Utah has said that the authorities believe Robinson acted alone.
Robinson agreed to surrender after tense exchange with mother
08:00
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Maroosha Muzaffar
Investigators zeroed in on Tyler Robinson, 22, as the prime suspect in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah last Wednesday, after Robinson’s own mother recognized him from a news photo.
Following a tense exchange, Robinson agreed to surrender peacefully to authorities in southern Utah, fearing a violent arrest, The New York Times reported.
His parents are registered Republicans, but court papers say Mr. Robinson’s political views had shifted significantly away from theirs.
After hinting at suicidal thoughts in a call with his father, Tyler Robinson was persuaded to go to his family home in Washington, Utah, where his parents, with help from a retired deputy sheriff family friend, began negotiating his surrender.
Vice president endorses mass ‘doxing’ campaign to target Kirk critics
07:30
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Maroosha Muzaffar
