Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been formally indicted in Utah County for the shooting death of Charlie Kirk that occurred on September 10, 2025.
The DX Brief
- Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, firearm offenses, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
- Prosecutors imply that Robinson acted alone, deliberately targeting Kirk due to his political views, with children present at the event as an aggravating factor.
- Texts in the indictment suggest premeditation, including a week-long plan, rifle preparation, bullet engravings, and clothing changes.
- Robinson surrendered voluntarily on September 11, with his parents and a family friend assisting.
According to the indictment, Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering, along with aggravating factors such as committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Authorities allege that Robinson intentionally targeted Kirk because of his political expression, and that children were present at the event, which prosecutors say is an aggravating factor. The aggravated murder charge carries possible penalties of life in prison or the death penalty.
The indictment does not describe Robinson as coordinating with others in the planning and carrying out of the assassination. However, Robinson’s text messages reportedly suggest he premeditated the attack for over a week.
Law enforcement claims Robinson shot Kirk in the neck with a bolt-action .30-06 rifle while Kirk spoke to a crowd of several hundred people. The indictment states Robinson hid the rifle, discarded his clothing, and instructed his “lover/roommate” to delete incriminating messages and remain silent if questioned by police. DNA evidence purportedly links Robinson to the rifle, the bullets, and associated items recovered near the campus and from his residence.
In one apparent text exchange with his lover/roommate, Robinson denies any connection to George Zinn, the older adult initially apprehended by law enforcement in the moments immediately after bullets rang out. “They grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing,” Robinson said, according to the indictment.
The Dallas Express previously reported that Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, 22, is cooperating with federal authorities. Officials described Twiggs and Robinson as romantic partners, though Twiggs reportedly had no knowledge of Robinson’s alleged plan. Texts supplied to investigators, cited in both reporting and the indictment, describe Robinson retrieving and hiding the rifle, preparing bullets with engravings, and changing clothes to avoid detection.
Robinson surrendered voluntarily to authorities on September 11, 2025, after a 33-hour manhunt, following discussions with his parents and a family friend who helped facilitate his turn-in. Investigators have recovered additional evidence from the residence shared by Robinson and Twiggs, including computers that have been sent for forensic review.
To read the full indictment, look here.