Death penalty sought for Kirk suspect

Prosecutor describes the conservative activist's slaying as an 'American tragedy.'

- BY SALVADOR HERNANDEZ AND RICHARD WINTON

JEFFREY GRAY, Utah County attorney, details charges against Tyler Robinson.

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of killing political activist Charlie Kirk with a single shot at Utah Valley University, officials announced Tuesday.

"I do not take this decision lightly," said Utah. County Atty. Jeffrey Gray during a news conference. "It's a decision I made independently as county attorney."

Robinson has been charged with seven counts, Gray said, including one count of aggravated murder and two counts of obstruction of justice, for allegedly hiding the rifle used in the killing and disposing of his clothes.

Robinson is also facing two counts of witness tampering after he allegedly instructed his roommate to delete incriminating texts, and asking them not to talk to investigators if they were questioned by authorities.

In a news conference Tuesday, Gray detailed how Robinson's parents first came to suspect that their son may have been the shooter after images from the university were publicly released. Gray also provided details of a text exchange between Robinson and his roommate, a person transitioning to female with whom he was romantically involved, in which Robinson apparently confessed to the killing.

According to the exchange read by Gray, Robinson's partner appeared to have no knowledge that Robinson had taken a rifle and had planned the shooting for about a week.

"You weren't the one who did it, right?" the roommate texted Robinson after the shooting, according to Gray.

"I am. I'm sorry," Robinson responded, according to Gray.

While local and federal officials searched for the gunman, Gray said, Robinson allegedly texted his partner, explaining his decision to kill Kirk.

"Why?" his partner, who was not identified by Gray, texted Robinson.

"Why did I do it?" Robinson responded.