Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter is accused of aggravated murder
Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has said a judge’s decision to allow the man accused of killing him to stand trial is “an important step” for her grieving family.
Mr Kirk (31), co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead by a sniper while addressing an outdoor gathering of students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10 last year.
Tyler Robinson (23) was arrested after turning himself in to police and charged with aggravated murder.
On Tuesday, Utah District Judge Tony Graf sided with prosecutors in advancing his case to trial with the current charge. Mr Robinson has pleaded not guilty, but could face the death penalty if he is convicted.
Ms Kirk said in a statement posted to X: “Today’s decision, which comes nearly a year since Charlie was taken from us, marks an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice for him.
“Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie’s murder has taken from his family, especially his children, who will grow up without their father. We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief.
“As the next phase of the judicial process begins, our family remains united in our love for Charlie, our commitment to the pursuit of justice, and our prayer for a transparent and timely process.”
The widow was in the courtroom in Provo, Utah, to hear the judge’s ruling, accompanied by Mr Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk.
She was reportedly seen briefly burying her face in her hands when the justice discussed the possibility of showing still images of the moment Mr Kirk was hit in the neck by the fatal bullet during last year’s attack.
Making the case against the accused, prosecutor Ryan McBride said: “Tyler James Robinson shot and killed Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with him, and he did it by firing a high-powered rifle into a crowd of over 3,000 people, which created a great risk of death that anyone would know about.”
In July, prosecutors spent five days presenting their “mountain of evidence” against Mr Robinson, which included DNA linking him to the bolt-action rifle used in the killing.
They also alleged Mr Robinson left a handwritten note for his romantic partner that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”
The judge in Tuesday’s hearing had the option to send the case to trial on a lesser charge of murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison.
However, he said, he approved the aggravated murder charge because, among other factors, several people were standing close to Mr Kirk when he was struck, only narrowly avoiding being hit themselves.
Mr Kirk was a prominent supporter of US president Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, and had done much to motivate young people to join Mr Trump’s cause during the 2024 presidential election.