Tyler Robinson — the 22-year-old charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk — feared being shot by police and agreed to turn himself in so long as it could be done peacefully, Sheriff Nate Brooksby said Wednesday. Robinson appeared quiet and somber when he surrendered with his parents last Thursday at the Washington County sheriff’s office, Brooksby said, adding that the suspect “didn’t want a big SWAT team at his parent’s house or his apartment. He was truly fearful about being shot by law enforcement.”
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Robinson with capital murder and said they will seek the death penalty, revealing texts and DNA evidence they say link him to the Sept. 10 rooftop shooting that killed Kirk at Utah Valley University. Court filings show Robinson texted a romantic partner after the attack, directing the partner to look under a keyboard and writing, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” then later replying, “I am, I’m sorry.” Authorities say DNA on the rifle’s trigger matched Robinson.
Law enforcement officials are probing whether anyone assisted Robinson or knew of his plans; authorities have not identified any suspects beyond Robinson. His parents recognized him in a photo released by investigators, confronted him and — after he expressed suicidal intent — persuaded him to meet a family friend, a retired sheriff’s deputy, who helped negotiate a peaceful surrender. Robinson then turned himself in. His family has not commented publicly since his arrest.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said investigators also found a note in Robinson’s residence saying, in part, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Prosecutors allege Robinson planned the attack for more than a week. Officials did not specify a clear motive; court documents include a text in which Robinson wrote that he had “had enough of his hatred.” Kirk, 31, a father of two, was a prominent conservative organiser whose Turning Point USA helped mobilise young voters for the 2024 election.
The shooting has prompted political fallout, with President Donald Trump condemning what he calls the “radical left” and pledging stricter measures, while former President Barack Obama said the country has become further divided. On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee summoned executives from Discord, Steam, Twitch and Reddit to testify about platform responsibility for content that may incite violence.
University officials are reviewing security for the event and the day of the attack, Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez said. Gov. Spencer Cox met with students near the scene and urged them to channel anger constructively: “What you do with that anger, that’s what determines where we go from here,” he said.
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