What we've learned about the case against the man charged in Charlie Kirk’s killing

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Authorities have said the 22-year-old Utah man accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk planned for at least a week before firing a single shot at the conservative activist from a rooftop on a college campus.

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and other crimes. He appeared briefly Tuesday before a judge by video from jail. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray earlier said he would file a notice to seek the death penalty and that Robinson would remain jailed without bond.

The judge has said he will appoint a public defender for Robinson.

Kirk, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Sept. 10 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.

Robinson is “believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk’s political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide,” Gray said. After Kirk was shot, “Robinson hid the gun, discarded the clothing he wore when he fired the rifle and told his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and not talk to police.”

Robinson, of Washington, Utah, was arrested last week.

Here's what we've learned about the case:

Gray said Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the gun used to kill Kirk. The weapon was his grandfather’s rifle, which Robinson’s father told investigators was a gift.

Robinson texted his partner, with whom he shared a home, that he wanted to return to the campus to retrieve the rifle, but he never did. Robinson also told his partner in texts that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”

“Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” Robinson texted.

Gray told reporters Tuesday that Robinson left a note for his partner hidden under his computer keyboard that said: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

Charging documents show the note said he had been planning to kill Kirk for more than a week.

Investigators are trying to determine if Robinson acted alone. Authorities have not indicated that his partner will be charged.

It is unclear how Robinson went unnoticed on the day of the shooting. Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez said Wednesday that the school is reviewing the security at Kirk’s event, but declined to provide further details.

Moments before Kirk was shot, he was taking a question that touched on mass shootings, gun violence and transgender people.

A Christian father of two, he demonstrated a combative new approach to conservatism that openly criticized racial justice movements, the news media and LGBTQ+ rights. Critics said his views perpetuated racist, anti-immigrant and anti-feminist ideas.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has described Robinson’s roommate as a transgender person. Gray said the partner has been cooperating with investigators.

Robinson’s mother told investigators that their son had turned left politically in the last year and became more supportive of gay and transgender rights after dating someone who is transgender, Gray said.

It was unclear what caused Robinson’s shift to the left.

Robinson’s dating choice prompted several conversations with his family, especially between Robinson and his father. They had different political views, and Robinson told his roommate in a text message that his dad had become “diehard MAGA,” an acronym from President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign that stands for “Make America Great Again.”

State records show Robinson is registered to vote but is not affiliated with a political party and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in the two most recent general elections.

Robinson’s mother first recognized him when authorities released photos of the suspect. His parents confronted Robinson, and he told them he wanted to kill himself. The family persuaded him to meet with a family friend who is a retired sheriff’s deputy, who convinced Robinson to turn himself in.

Investigators spoke to Robinson's relatives and searched his family's home in Washington, about 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of Utah Valley University.