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Officials announced formal charges against conservative speaker Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin on Tuesday.
Tyler Robinson is being charged with several counts, including aggravated murder.
Authorities allege that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson fired a single rifle shot from a rooftop sniper position, striking Kirk in the neck last Wednesday on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Kirk was delivering a speech to a crowd of roughly 3,000 attendees when he was shot. He died later that day at a nearby hospital.
While investigators have yet to disclose a motive, Kirk’s supporters, including his wife Erika Kirk, have portrayed him as a martyr for their movement. Kirk, 31, was the co-founder and leader of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
According to a police affidavit, Robinson is being held in Utah County Jail on charges including aggravated murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. Cox said that the death penalty is being considered, although the final decision will take into account the wishes of Kirk’s family.
Stepheny Price covers crime including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Story tips: stepheny.price@fox.com.