Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been formally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced the charges at a press conference, noting that Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.
Gray described Kirk’s killing as “an American tragedy,” emphasizing the attack occurred while Kirk was engaging in what he called one of the nation’s “most sacred and cherished American rights—the free exchange of ideas.”
Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of children, the New York Post reports.
The obstruction and witness tampering counts stem from Robinson allegedly hiding the rifle used in the shooting and instructing his live-in trans-identifying lover to delete messages and remain silent if questioned.
Robinson was apprehended after a 33-hour manhunt and turned in by his father.
Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA and was shot while addressing roughly 3,000 attendees during the “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University last week.
He was struck in the neck and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Court documents and law enforcement testimony reveal that Robinson had adopted leftist beliefs