Prosecutors in Arizona announced on Tuesday they will pursue the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event in July.
Robinson, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder, terrorism, and weapons offenses. Prosecutors said the killing was a “politically motivated act of violence” that sent shockwaves through an already polarized nation.
Court filings show the state believes “aggravating circumstances” — including the high-profile nature of the victim and the calculated nature of the attack — justify seeking the maximum penalty. Robinson’s defense team has not yet commented on the development.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while addressing students in Phoenix. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from conservative leaders and intensified political debates across the U.S.
Robinson remains in custody without bail, with his next pretrial hearing scheduled for later this month.
