When she first saw the photo of the person suspected of killing political commentator Charlie Kirk, Tyler James Robinson’s mom told police her first thought was that it looked like her son.
She immediately called him to ask where he was, according to charging documents released Tuesday. Robinson reportedly told her that he had been sick at home for the past two days, including the day of the shooting, where a single shot hit and killed Kirk on Sept. 10.
But Robinson’s mom couldn’t shake the similarities between her 22-year-old son’s face and the image released by law enforcement that quickly circulated online, the charging documents state. She told police she also discussed the photo with her husband, who agreed with her.
Increasingly worried, the couple repeatedly called and spoke with Robinson last week until he “implied that he was the shooter,” the documents state. And then, 33 hours after the shooting at Utah Valley University, they convinced their son to turn himself in.
The document from prosecutors reveals for the first time details about Robinson’s surrender and the conversations that led up to it, including new information about Robinson’s politics, the conflict of ideals he had with his family and his alleged plans to specifically target 31-year-old Kirk.
Prosecutors announced Tuesday that based on that information, they intend to seek the death penalty. Robinson faces seven charges, including murder. Two of the felony charges included a “victim targeting enhancement.”
That’s because, the charging documents allege, Robinson “intentionally selected Charlie Kirk because of Tyler James Robinson’s belief or perception regarding Charlie Kirk’s political expression.”
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray, who is leading the prosecution, also said adding “political motivation” as an aggravating circumstance is applicable under Utah law but declined to say more about Robinson’s alleged motives outside of what’s detailed in charging documents.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox previously said Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated by leftist ideology” and had been “radicalized.” Gray also declined to comment on that.
Parents recognized their son and the gun
Some of Robinson’s apparent political leanings had come to light before the charges were filed.
But the documents filed Tuesday indicated for the first time that Robinson’s mom felt her son over the past year “had become more political and had started to lean more to the left — becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” she told police.
Robinson is registered to vote but had not declared a party affiliation, according to state voter records. Both of his parents are registered Republicans.
His mom told police that Robinson had begun to date his roommate, who is transgender.
“This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views,” the charging document states.
In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson allegedly mentioned that Kirk was holding an event at UVU in Orem and called that a “stupid venue.” Robinson also allegedly accused Kirk of spreading hate.
During a 2023 speech, Kirk had called the “transgender thing” a “throbbing middle finger to God.” His organization, Turning Point USA, also sponsored rallies against transgender medical care.
In a text to his roommate after the shooting, Robinson allegedly wrote: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson also told them that “since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga,” referring to the slogan of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Robinson’s dad told police that when he heard about the rifle that law enforcement say the suspected shooter used to kill Kirk — a Mauser Model 98, .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope — it stood out to him as matching one he’d gifted his son, from Robinson’s grandfather.
Following his wife’s call about the photo, Robinson’s father called his son about the gun and asked him to send a picture of it, the charging documents state. Robinson did not respond.
The father and son later talked on the phone, though, and Robinson implied that he planned to die by suicide. Alarmed, his parents convinced him to come to their southern Utah home in Washington City, where they’d lived for years and where Robinson grew up.
Convincing Robinson to turn himself in
Robinson reportedly drove more than 260 miles south to speak with his parents.
“As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it,” the charging document states.
When they asked him why he had allegedly done it, Robinson said Kirk was spreading too much hate.
The parents told police they asked their son to speak to a family friend, who is a retired deputy sheriff. That family friend came over to the house and talked to Robinson.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on “Fox & Friends” that the family friend was also a minister, though Trump did not specify the faith.
Robinson’s mom and dad told police that the family friend convinced Robinson to turn himself in. He also told Robinson “that it would be best if he brought all evidence with him to the sheriff’s office to avoid police having to search his parent’s home.”
The friend and Robinson’s parents accompanied Robinson to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on the night of Sept. 11, when he ultimately surrendered.
Before doing so, Robinson allegedly messaged his roommate to say: “Im gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.”
What else we know about Robinson
At the time of his arrest, Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George, according to the Utah System of Higher Education, which oversees all public universities and colleges in the state.
He’s held an apprentice electrician license in Utah since 2022, according to state professional licensing records. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 354, which represents more than 3,000 electrical workers in Utah, confirmed Robinson was not a member.
Before enrolling at Dixie Technical College, he’d attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021 as a pre-engineering student after getting a $32,000 scholarship offer. Posts from his mother’s Facebook account, which has since been taken down, described Tyler as an intelligent student.
He previously graduated from Pine View High School in 2021.
Several pictures on his mother’s Facebook page had also shown the family hunting and fishing.
Robinson made a remote initial appearance in 4th District Court in Provo on Tuesday afternoon. He is being held without bail in Utah County jail.
Gray, the Utah County attorney, declined to say if Robinson was cooperating with investigators.