Tyler Robinson Allegedly Used Rifle Gifted to Him by Family to Assassinate Charlie Kirk: Prosecutor By Liam Quinn and Greg Hanlon 10

Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, was allegedly gifted the rifle used in the assassination by his family, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 16.

According to Gray, DNA “consistent with Robinson” was found on the trigger of the bolt action rifle found near the crime scene that police believe was used to shoot Kirk on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Gray said that when law enforcement later spoke with Robinson’s father after Robinson had been identified as a suspect, the dad “believed that the rifle that police suspected the shooter used matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift.”

In texts Robinson allegedly sent his roommate and romantic partner after the killing, the 22-year-old suspect wrote the “only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel.”

According to Gray — who read aloud from a charging document against Robinson that was obtained by PEOPLE — the suspect allegedly wrote, “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpas rifle,” and, “How the f— will I explain losing it to my old man.”

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Gray announced at the press conference that Robinson faces single counts of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and violent offense in the presence of a child, along with two counts each of obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

Gray said prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

Authorities have said Kirk was fatally shot by a high-powered, bolt-action from the roof of a building about 200 yards away from the rally.

Kirk, a prominent right-wing influencer and close ally of President Donald Trump, was known for touring college campuses and engaging in debate with students.

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Robinson, who has no previous criminal record, is registered to vote but has never cast a ballot in an election and is not registered to a specific party.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson lived with his romantic partner in St. George, Utah, more than 250 miles away from Utah Valley’s campus in Orem.