Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination feared being shot by law enforcement, demanded peaceful surrender accompanied by parents: sheriff

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was scared he would be shot by law enforcement before turning himself in, according to Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby. Part of his conditions of surrender were that his parents could accompany him.

Brooksby told reporters that Robinson requested conditions that would allow him to surrender without a violent confrontation. “What did he ask for? … basically for a peaceful gentle comfortable transition for him to come out again,” Brooksby said.

“He knew he was gonna get caught. He didn’t want a big SWAT team hit in his parents’ house or his apartment. He was truly fearful of being shot by law enforcement … If at the end of the day we accomplish him surrendering peacefully on his own, I’m gonna make some concessions to make that happen.”

Brooksby said that Robinson's parents, who essentially turned him in, were permitted to stay with him in the interrogation room while lead investigators came down to St George from Orem, where the killing took place on Sept. 10. He did not indicate what their relationship was like during that time.

Text messages obtained by investigators show Robinson admitted to the killing and told his partner he intended to surrender. “I’m gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff,” Robinson wrote. He added, “you are all I worry about love.”

In the exchange, his roommate replied: “I’m much more worried about you.” Robinson also told his partner to stay quiet and lawyer up. “Don’t talk to the media please. Don’t take any interviews or make any comments. … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”

Robinson appeared in court by video link from a jail in Spanish Fork, Utah. He listened as a judge read the charges against him and appointed legal counsel, pracitcally emotionless.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced on Monday Robinson had been charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense that carries the possibility of the death penalty. Additional charges include felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, witness tampering, committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, and obstruction of justice. The latter offenses carry sentences of up to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors confirmed they intend to pursue the death penalty in the case.