Utah Governor: Charges Against Kirk’s Suspected Assassin to Be Filed on Sept. 16

Gov. Spencer Cox said that more information will be released when charges are filed with the courts.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a press conference following the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 12, 2025. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed that official charges will be filed against Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin, Tyler Robinson, on Sept. 16.

In several different interviews on Sept. 14, Cox said that the information released with the filings will include even more details of the events surrounding the conservative activist’s assassination, as well as more specific information regarding the suspect.

“Official charges will be filed on Tuesday, and there will be much more evidence and information available then,” he said on CNN’s “State of the Union.“ ”And again, we’re interviewing all kinds of people, everyone that knows him, and trying to learn more about what that motive actually was.”

The governor suggested that further details could be revealed that would elaborate on comments made by the suspect’s acquaintances and family members, stating that the suspect was deeply indoctrinated in “leftist ideology.”

Those being interviewed and cooperating with law enforcement include an individual said to be the suspect’s romantic partner, who identifies as transitioning from male to female.

Cox also told CNN that the suspect may have left behind a note. However, he added, the supposed note and Discord messages discussing its contents “are things that are still being processed for accuracy and verification and will be included in charging documents.”

In a separate interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Cox explained that investigators were still collecting evidence, including forensic evidence that has been undergoing analysis by the FBI in Quantico, Virginia, that Cox said would hopefully help tie the suspected shooter to the weapon.

Investigators found a Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, with round casings that were engraved with messages including “Hey, fascist! Catch!” and the lyrics to an old Italian anti-fascist song.

However, Cox said that the suspect is not cooperating, and no official motive has been declared.

“I know everybody wants to know exactly why, and point the finger, and I totally get that. I do, too,” he told CNN. ”And so I just want to be careful, as I haven’t read all of the interview transcripts. And so we'll have to wait and see what comes out.”

Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Those are all felony charges, with the aggravated murder charge carrying the possibility of the death penalty.

Both Cox and President Donald Trump have called for the suspect to face the death penalty.