Charlie Kirk killing suspect charged with aggravated murder by Utah prosecutors

"Jeff Gray, the top prosecutor in Utah county, where Kirk was fatally shot last week, said Robinson also ordered his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and stay silent if police questioned him in the aftermath of the Turning Point USA executive director's killing. The exact charges filed against Robinson include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and witness tampering."

"Aggravating circumstances elevating the charges to an offense deserving the death penalty were the 31-year-old Kirk's political expression and the fact that children were present to witness the murder, Gray said. I do not take this decision lightly, Gray said. And it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime."

"Citing information provided to investigators by Robinson's mother after his arrest in the killing, Gray made it a point to say that the suspect whose family was known to be conservative had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented. Gray said that Robinson's mother also told investigators that her son had started to date his roommate, who, authorities say, was transitioning genders."

Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and witness tampering after the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty, citing aggravating circumstances that include Kirk's political expression and the presence of children who witnessed the killing. County Attorney Jeff Gray said Robinson ordered his roommate to delete incriminating texts and remain silent. Investigators were told by Robinson's mother that he had become more politically left and pro-gay and trans rights, and had started dating his roommate, who was transitioning. The shooting occurred at a Utah Valley University event after Kirk made a remark about transgender people.

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