Formal charges are anticipated to be announced on Tuesday against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray will hold a news conference to disclose the charges after they are filed in the late morning. The details will be made public immediately following the announcement, according to officials.
Robinson is also scheduled to make his initial court appearance later on Tuesday. Utah County officials plan to provide additional information during the press conference regarding the formal charges. Last week, Robinson was arrested on multiple charges, including felony discharge of a firearm, aggravated murder, and obstruction of justice. He was booked into the Utah County Jail.
Investigators are continuing to evaluate evidence, including examining electronic devices that Robinson may have accessed. Federal charges could also be forthcoming, according to law enforcement officials. A motive for the shooting has not yet been disclosed, although Vice President JD Vance suggested that "left-wing extremism" may have played a role in Kirk's shooting.
Robinson was apprehended after his father recognized him in photographs released by authorities. His father urged him to turn himself in. Initially, the 22-year-old refused but later agreed to surrender, officials reported.
In a press briefing from the Oval Office on Monday evening, President Donald Trump stated that it appears Robinson became radicalized online. "Something happened to him over a fairly short period of time. It looks like he was radicalized over the internet, and it's radicalized on the left. He's a left," Trump claimed.
Prior to Robinson's arrest, officials indicated they had obtained significant video footage of the suspect and were able to track his movements. Additionally, Robinson is believed to have had an obsession with Kirk, based on his digital footprint, according to FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Bongino noted that the suspect exhibited "multiple warning signs."
"I believe co-workers stated he had detached himself when the topic of politics came up and walked away," Bongino said during an appearance on Fox News. He also mentioned that investigators are looking into whether anyone was aware of Robinson's intentions and failed to alert authorities, particularly regarding online discussions he had about Kirk. "Did they ... hear it and think it was a joke? That is what we're trying to find out now," he added. "If there is a larger network here, we will get that out to the public as soon as we can."