The suspect in the assassination of prominent conservative US activist Charlie Kirk was charged Tuesday with aggravated murder among other counts, as Utah prosecutors vowed to seek the death penalty in the case.
Officials said the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, allegedly admitted to the shooting in a text to his roommate, saying he had “had enough” of Kirk’s “hatred.”
Family members told investigators that Robinson had become more political over the years, and was concerned about LGBTQ rights, according to prosecutors.
The assassination is “an American tragedy,” the Utah County attorney said: The country is increasingly on edge over partisan divisions, with a new Reuters poll showing roughly two-thirds of Americans believe harsh political rhetoric is encouraging violence.