Photo: FBI/Getty Images
Tyler Robinson, the suspected shooter in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is scheduled to make his first in-court appearance on Tuesday (December 11), ABC News reports.
Robinson, 22, who had previously made virtual and audio-only court appearances, has not entered a plea and could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during what was scheduled to be the first stop on his 'American Comeback Tour' on September 10.
Robinson was announced to have been in custody and publicly identified by police on September 12. A federal investigation into Robinson reportedly showed he had no link to left-wing groups, three sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NBC News.
Text messages sent by the Robinson to his roommate, whom police described as "a biological male" transitioning to female and "involved in a romantic relationship" with the suspect, who he referred to as "my love," were revealed.
“Drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,” Robinson wrote, according to court papers filed by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray on September 16.
The roommate found a note written by Robinson that allegedly stated, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
Robinson's parents, who were reported to be conservative, began to suspect he was the shooter after a surveillance photo was shared publicly during the manhunt that preceded his arrest. The suspect claimed the murder weapon was a gift from his grandfather.
“My dad wants photos of the rifle,” Robinson wrote, according to charging document released on Tuesday. “He's calling me rn, not answering.”
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012. The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers.
Kirk enthusiastically supported President Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.