Tyler Robinson could face death penalty after Charlie Kirk capital murder arrest

The anguished father of suspectedCharlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson may have signed his own son’s death warrant after turning him in to the police.

Officials in Utah today repeated that prosecutors are to seek the death penalty for the gunman responsible for the MAGA firebrand’s death as he spoke at Utah Valley University. Currently, Robinson is to be charged with aggravated murder, among other charges, at the state level, according to a probable cause affidavit released.

Authorities have three days to file the documents in preparation for a preliminary court hearing, where the suspect would first go before a judge, likely early next week. Yet, despite the state charges, federal prosecutors are looking to bring their own indictment, which they say will carry capital punishment.

READ MORE: Who is Tyler Robinson? All we know about Charlie Kirk murder suspect in custody

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Donald Trump said in an interview on Fox & Friends earlier today that he hoped the suspect would get the death penalty. Robinson's arrest has left the tight knit community in Washington, Utah, where he lived with his parents and two younger brothers, in shock.

They recalled watching him grow up and never being in trouble with many saying how "incredibly smart he is". Neighbour Kristin Schwiermann, 66, who lives on the quiet street where the Robinsons live told the Mirror : “I can’t even begin to imagine the anguish they must be feeling. To have your own son supposedly confess to something like that and then be faced with the choice of turning him in, it must have torn them apart.”

“They’re a good, God-fearing family. You won’t meet kinder people than Matt and Amber," she added. "Amber is the loveliest woman anyone could ever meet. They love their children, they’ve raised them right. This is not the kind of home you’d expect something like this to come out of. People here know them as a loving family. That’s what makes it so hard to understand. The pain they must be in, it’s unimaginable.”

When asked if Robinson, who see has watched grow from the age of six being the caretaker at the Riverside Elementary School he attended, should face the death penalty, Ms Schwiermann, said she believed in an "eye for eye". Law enforcement sources told the Mirror that the suspect confessed to his father, Matt Robinson, who neighbours say works in construction, after Kirk was gunned down on Wednesday.

His father then reported his suspicions to the clergy, who passed the tip to the US Marshals Service, triggering a swift arrest late Thursday night in southern Utah. Governor Spencer Cox announced the arrest by saying, “We got him,” before he and FBI Director Kash Patel wallowed in their own praise for the “historic” capture.

“In less than 36 hours - 33 to be precise - thanks to the full weight of the federal government and leading out with the partners here in the state of Utah and Governor Cox, the suspect was apprehended in a historic time period,” said Patel. “Forensic evidence has already been evaluated” by the FBI, with more than 11,000 leads being checked, as possible.

But despite the celebratory tone, serious questions are being raised about how federal and state authorities failed to identify the suspect before the Robinson family’s intervention. While Cox praised the “incredible work” of investigators, critics argue the case exposed a monumental failure by the FBI and Patel, who has since been nicknamed “Keystone Kash”.

Until the Robinsons came forward, officers had no solid leads on the gunman responsible for the high-profile killing of one of America’s most divisive conservative figures. Kirk, 31, was shot dead in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday as he spoke at Utah Valley University (UVU).

He was struck by a single to the neck as he sat under a small gazebo errected to protect him from the sun. The shot was fired from a roof of a building some 200 yards away. Kirk's assassination sent shockwaves through America’s political establishment and prompted warnings of rising civil strife.

Robinson, a former Utah State University student, lived with his family in a £480,000 home in Washington, Utah, about 260 miles south of the murder scene. Governor Cox revealed that the suspect’s hostility towards Kirk was not a secret in the household.

A family member told investigators he had grown increasingly political in recent years and specifically mentioned Kirk during a dinner conversation. “In the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to UVU,” Cox said. “They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had."

Robinson at the dinner said 'Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate,' according to the relative’s account related by Cox. The family’s account matched evidence later uncovered by detectives, pointing to a premeditated attack fuelled by ideological anger.

Evidence found painted a disturbing picture, said Cox, of a young man radicalised online. Authorities said the suspect engraved messages onto bullet casings, leaving them alongside the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting. One read: “Hey fascist! Catch!” Another was etched with: “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.” A third carried the phrase “Bella ciao” - a reference to the Italian anti-fascist anthem from World War II.

Robinson’s roommate is also said to have cooperated with investigators, showing them Discord messages where the alleged gunman discussed retrieving a rifle from a drop point, stashing it in a bush, engraving bullets, and preparing for the assault.

“The content of these included messages affiliated with the contact Tyler, stating a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left, and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel,” Cox said.

The governor added: “The messages also refer to engraving bullets and a mention of a scope, and the rifle being unique. Messages from the contact Tyler also mentioned that he had changed outfits.”

Surveillance footage from UVU further tied Robinson to the crime. Cameras recorded him arriving on campus on Wednesday morning in his grey Dodge Challenger, four hours before the attack. He was seen wearing a maroon T-shirt, light shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light-coloured shoes. When arrested at 11pm on Thursday, police said his clothing was consistent with that worn in the videos.

Authorities have recovered a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel, alongside unfired casings bearing the chilling inscriptions. The Robinson family’s public image is at odds with the events now unfolding.

Social media posts show wholesome holiday photographs, smiling selfies, and a proud mother celebrating her son’s acceptance into university. Robinson had attended Utah State University on a scholarship but dropped out after just one semester in 2021.

His mother, Amber, works for Intermountain Support Coordination Services, helping disabled people access care. He also has two younger brothers. In one image from 2017, Robinson is pictured dressed as Donald Trump for Halloween.