Authorities in Utah say the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk will formally face charges in court on Tuesday.
Kirk, a well-known ally of former President Donald Trump and founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot dead last week while addressing students at a Utah university.
Investigators allege that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson fired a single rifle shot from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. Robinson was captured after a 33-hour manhunt that spread across the state.
Kirk, a father of two, had built a massive online following through TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where he pushed conservative viewpoints and fiercely opposed transgender rights. He was a polarizing figure, often sharing edited clips of heated exchanges from his frequent campus appearances.
The fallout from the killing has extended beyond the courtroom. FBI Director Kash Patel is facing sharp criticism over his handling of the immediate response. Patel initially announced the arrest of a different suspect, only for that individual to be released hours later. He is scheduled to testify before a Senate panel on Tuesday, where lawmakers are expected to press him on the FBI’s actions in the aftermath of the shooting.
Patel, appointed by Trump to lead the FBI, has faced bipartisan scrutiny since taking the role.
Meanwhile, the White House said it intends to pursue what it described as a left-wing “domestic terror movement” following Kirk’s death. The announcement has raised concerns that such efforts could be used to target political dissent.
