People visit a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week, on the campus at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times)
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Prosecutors expect to file formal charges on Tuesday accusing a 22-year-old from southern Utah of killing prominent right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. Officials have provided new details in recent days about evidence, including DNA and text messages, that could be made public with the charging documents.
A first court appearance is expected at 3 p.m. Mountain time for the suspect, Tyler Robinson, who turned himself in late Thursday, about 33 hours after Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University. Robinson is being held on suspicion of aggravated murder and related felonies, though the formal charges may differ.
Here’s what we’re covering:
— Suspect’s texts: Before he was arrested, Robinson sent text messages to friends on the chat app Discord indicating that he was closely following news about the killing, and joked that his “doppelganger” had done it. In another chat, which the app said it had shared with law enforcement officials, Robinson reportedly told friends, “It was me.”
— Written note: FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson had also written a note saying that he was going to make use of an opportunity to kill Kirk. Patel, who was testifying before Congress Tuesday morning, has faced scrutiny over his leadership of the agency and the Kirk investigation.
— Seeking motive: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said in a television interview Sunday that Robinson held a “leftist ideology,” and had a romantic partner who was transitioning from male to female. Messages left on bullet casings linked to the shooting, however, are less clear about a motive.
— National fallout: Trump administration officials have threatened to crack down on what they say is a left-wing network that funds and incites violence against conservatives — without presenting evidence that such a network exists. Public figures associated with both parties have faced violence, including fatal attacks, in recent years.
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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
By Sonia A. Rao/Loren Elliot
c. 2025 The New York Times Company
