Charlie Kirk shooting suspect could face firing squad if guilty

(NewsNation) — Charlie Kirk’s accused killer could face execution by firing squad if prosecutors secure a guilty verdict and seek the death penalty against him.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and booked into a Utah jail after being taken into custody late Thursday at around 10 p.m. local time.

He allegedly fired a single shot at Kirk from the roof of a building 200 yards from where the conservative activist was speaking at Utah Valley University Wednesday.

NewsNation sources said Robinson confessed to his father and was on the FBI’s radar after being initially identified through facial recognition investigative methods.

Robinson was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses. He is expected to be formally charged early next week ahead of an initial court appearance.

Utah governor pushing for death penalty

Before Robinson’s arrest, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he wanted Kirk’s killer to face capital punishment and referred to the shooting Wednesday as a “political assassination.”

The president echoed that sentiment in an interview with “Fox & Friends” Friday as he announced a suspect was arrested.

“I hope he’s found guilty, I would imagine,” Trump said. “And I hope he gets the death penalty.”

Arrest papers show state authorities intend to pursue the death penalty. Robinson could face death by firing squad as Utah is one of five states – including Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina – that utilize the execution method in certain circumstances.

Since 1608, at least 144 civilian prisoners have been executed by shooting in America, nearly all in Utah.

What we know about Tyler Robinson

Robinson attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021, the school said. He was a pre-engineering major before taking a leave of absence after that lone semester.

Police arrested him after speaking with his family and roommate, who showed them Discord messages from Robinson discussing the need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush and engraving bullets. The messages also mentioned a scope and the rifle being unique, according to his arrest affidavit.

The suspect has no known criminal history but had recently become “more political,” his family said. A family member recalled a conversation at the dinner table in which Robinson talked about Kirk.

“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”

Ammunition found at the scene had engravings on it that referenced meme culture and fascism, police said, and an official motive in the shooting has not yet been revealed.

NewsNation’s Sean Noone and The Associated Press contributed to this story.