What We Know About How Charlie Kirk Was Killed

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 7:35 PM

what we know about how charlie kirk was killed

People gather at a makeshift memorial for political activist and Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk outside of the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sept. 14. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption Prosecutors in Utah appear to be preparing to argue that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last week because he disagreed with Kirk's anti-trans rhetoric. In their charging document, authorities cite text messages that Robinson allegedly exchanged with "his lover/roommate," a person they describe as "a biological male who was transitioning genders." The document also includes another text in... The presumed motive has added fire to a rash of speculation by high-reach conservatives, who have suggested that this motive equated to a political ideology.

The same day Kirk was killed, President Trump claimed the shooter was a "radical leftist." Others have suggested that the suspect may have been "groomed" by a "trans terror cell" and that he was... In fact, little is still known about Robinson's politics. According to the charging document, his mother told investigators that he had become more "pro-gay and trans-rights oriented" within the last year. It also includes a text message, allegedly written by Robinson, that said "since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga." But Robinson is not registered with a political party in... There is no evidence of his positions on other issues of importance to the left, such as immigration or labor. The roommate of the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk had one question.

"I had enough of his hatred," Tyler Robinson wrote back. "Some hate can't be negotiated out." On Tuesday, authorities released messages between Robinson and the roommate from the hours after the shooting. Officials have said the unnamed roommate was a "biological male" who was transitioning from man to woman and was in a romantic relationship with the defendant. Prosecutors also gave further details that could point to a possible motive – although there is still much that is not known. According to an indictment, Robinson's mother told police that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and left-wing, "more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented".

Sky News' Data & Forensics team has tracked and mapped the events before, during and after the shooting to answer questions about the attack. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Chaos broke out at Utah Valley University when prominent right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was shot dead in front of thousands of people. Mr Kirk, 31, was speaking to students about mass shootings on Wednesday when he was shot in the neck, leading students to flee and a manhunt for the killer beginning. Many questions remain, with differing accounts and multiple videos across social media. The face of Maga.

A staunch ally of Donald Trump. Executive director of Turning Point USA. Conservative commentator. Top podcaster and culture warrior. There are many ways to define Charlie Kirk, the famous right-wing activist and commentator. However, on Wednesday (September 10), one could add victim of gun violence to Kirk’s name after he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, Utah in western America.

The killing of Kirk prompted an outpouring of condolences from several famous names, including US President Donald Trump. “The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” announced the US president on his social media, adding later, “Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in... Charlie is a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America.” But how did the shooting that killed Kirk occur? We try to piece together the chain of events that led to the killing and the aftermath of it. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot in a targeted attack during an outdoor event Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said.

Frightened students and others at Utah Valley University raced for shelter after a gunman fired a fatal shot at conservative youth activist Charlie Kirk during an outdoor speaking event at the school Wednesday. People were seen running, as screams rang out of the Sorensen Center courtyard where the youth organization Turning Point USA was holding the event. Law enforcement had cleared the area that included the white tent where Kirk was sitting when he was shot. People attend a vigil at Timpanogos Regional Hospital for Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett)

CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHER LAST NAME FROM CROEWLEY TO CROWLEY - Law enforcement tapes off an area after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at Utah... 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP) Prosecutors have filed a notice to seek the death penalty for Robinson. Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, has been formally charged with a slew of offenses, including aggravated murder, with prosecutors announcing the intent to seek the death penalty.

Robinson, 22, has also been charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of... Gray, who described Kirk's death as "an American tragedy," said he does not "take this decision lightly" in regard to seeking the death penalty for Robinson. The suspected shooter will continue to be held without bail. Robinson made his first appearance in court virtually on Tuesday, where a judge read off the suspect’s charges. He will remain in custody. • At large: A manhunt is still underway for the person who killed conservative political activist Charlie Kirk more than a day after his shooting stunned the US.

• New footage: Urging the public to help find the shooter, authorities shared a video they say shows the suspect jumping off a roof after the killing. And in footage obtained by CNN, geolocated to a neighborhood near the crime scene, a person matching the suspect’s description was seen walking down a street before the shooting. • The investigation: Audio captured near the podium where Kirk spoke suggests he was hit with a single supersonic gunshot, according to an expert. And phrases related to political issues were scrawled on a recovered rifle and ammunition, sources said. Our live coverage of Charlie Kirk’s killing has moved here. Authorities in Utah renewed calls for public help in finding Charlie Kirk’s killer on Thursday night, as the second day in the manhunt drew near a close.

Editor's note: This page summarizes developments for Friday, Sept. 12 after the killing of Charlie Kirk. For the latest news, visit USA TODAY's coverage of Charlie Kirk's death for Saturday, Sept. 13. WASHINGTON CITY, Utah – The suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is in custody on a murder charge while the conservative influencer's widow spoke publicly about her husband's killing for... The shooter was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, said Gov.

Spencer Cox. He was arrested after a relative contacted a family friend, who told authorities that Robinson had "confessed to them or implied that he committed the incident." Authorities said they tied him to the crime... Robinson was arrested around 10 p.m. local time Thursday and will face charges of aggravated murder and two other felonies, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY. "Ladies and gentlemen, we got him," Cox said. LIVE UPDATES: Authorities search for Charlie Kirk’s shooter

Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at an event at a Utah college. READ MORE: High-powered rifle recovered from Utah campus where Kirk’s killer was able to blend in Kirk was a top podcaster, culture warrior and ally of President Donald Trump. He led an effort to remake the GOP’s get-out-the-vote effort in the 2024 election based on the theory there were thousands of Trump supporters who rarely vote but could be persuaded to vote. His killing Wednesday is the latest example of violence in the U.S. spanning a range of political ideologies and affecting both major political parties.

What We Know About How Charlie Kirk Was Killed

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