 "Tyler Robinson's friends and family have told investigators about a dinner in which Charlie Kirk's name and visit to the university came up. Reuters")
Tyler Robinson is set to be charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk today (16 September). This comes ahead of the first time Robinson will appear in court for the 10 September killing of the conservative influencer and Donald Trump acolyte at a college campus.
Robinson could face the death penalty if prosecutors charge him with aggravated murder. After charges are filed against Robinson, he will participate in an in-camera court hearing. Robinson has not received bail since his arrest. It remains unclear whether he is represented by counsel.
Meanwhile, investigators have conducted interviews with Robinson’s friends and family. They have also searched the family home in Washington after a warrant was approved.
Here’s the latest on the Kirk murder.
What’s the motive?
That remains unclear.
While Utah Governor Spencer Cox has claimed Robinson had a “leftist ideology” , Robinson himself isn’t saying much.
Robinson’s friends and family have told investigators about a dinner in which Charlie Kirk’s name and visit to the university came up.
Cox has said Robinson is “not cooperating” and that his friends have claimed he was radicalised by the darker corners of the internet. Cox said investigators are still trying to find a motive for the shooting.
Records show Robinson is registered to vote. However, he did not vote in the previous two elections and is not affiliated with any political party. Ironically, most of his family are hardcore Trump supporters.
Who is Robinson?
Robinson grew up around St. George, in the southwestern corner of Utah, between Las Vegas and natural landmarks including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.
Robinson became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon Church, at a young age, church spokesperson Doug Andersen said.
Robinson has two younger brothers, and his parents have been married for about 25 years, according to social media posts.
Like many in that part of Utah, the family frequently spent time outdoors — boating, fishing, riding ATVs, zip-lining and target shooting. A 2017 post shows the family visiting a military facility and posing with assault rifles. A young Robinson is seen smiling as he grips the handles of a .50-calibre heavy machine gun.
A high school honour roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardised tests, Robinson was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter that was posted to a family member’s social media account.
But he attended for only one semester, according to a university spokesperson. He was most recently enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College in St. George.
Robinson’s partner is transgender, Cox said. Some politicians have pointed to that as a sign Robinson was targeting Kirk for his anti-transgender views, but authorities have not said whether it is relevant to the investigation. Cox said the partner has been “incredibly co-operative” and “had no idea that this was happening.”
What about the aftermath of the assassination?
Many have called for greater civility in the country’s political discourse, particularly on social media. But many people have made comments about Kirk and the shooting that brought consequences. Numerous workers have been fired for their comments on Kirk’s death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
It’s not the first time people have lost jobs over things they say publicly, but the speed of the firings has raised questions about free speech rights.
Governor Ron DeSantis’s education commissioner warned teachers in Florida that making “disgusting” statements about Kirk’s assassination could draw sanctions, including the suspension or revocation of their teaching licences.
A conservative internet personality who is embedded with immigration agents in Chicago filmed a video outside Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s private home in which he urged viewers to “take action” after Kirk’s assassination. Pritzker’s office said his security has been increased in recent days.
Partisans have been fighting over who’s to blame for Kirk’s death, but experts on political violence say many of those who commit such crimes seem to act on beliefs that don’t map clearly onto partisan lines. They say the broader political environment is more important: the more heated the atmosphere, the more likely it is to lead unstable people to commit acts of violence.
Kirk is remembered
Turning Point USA, Kirk’s conservative organisation, will hold a memorial for him on 21 September at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play. Kirk’s casket arrived Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.
Flowers, US flags and handwritten messages were left at a makeshift memorial at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday.
His widow, Erika Kirk, has vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.
When Kirk was memorialised Sunday at Dream City Church in Phoenix, attendees viewed clips of Kirk discussing his desire to be “remembered for courage for my faith.” Angel Barnett, a church pastor, called on the crowd to honour Kirk by carrying on his message.