A spokesperson for the Utah sheriff’s office says suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson is still being housed in a Utah County Jail special unit for the time being and has been mentally evaluated.
Robinson, 22, is accused of shooting and killing Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. He was arrested 33 hours after the incident.
The sheriff’s office spokesperson told The Epoch Times that Robinson “has been seen by … medical and mental health staff” and will stay in a “special housing unit for the time being, which does include still being under a special watch.”
Because of patient privacy rules, the spokesperson could not offer further details about the suspect’s mental health status.
In a statement to The Epoch Times earlier this month, a spokesperson said that there was no indication that Robinson was suicidal.
Prosecutors said in a press conference this past week that Robinson allegedly killed Kirk for his political views and, after the shooting, hid the rifle and the clothing he wore. He then allegedly tried to persuade his roommate and romantic interest, who officials said is a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman, to delete an incriminating text exchange and not talk to police.
Robinson is charged with one count each of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and violent offense committed in front of a child. He is charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of witness tampering. If convicted, he faces the death penalty for the murder charge, prosecutors said.
Robinson’s mother allegedly told investigators that he had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, according to authorities. She said Robinson was dating his roommate.
Earlier, Robinson had allegedly told his father that Kirk would be holding an event at the university. He was critical of Kirk, court documents state.
The suspect is also accused of writing messages on shell casings that were recovered, according to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray.
The lease prosecutor said that one of the messages on the bullets read: “Hey fascist! Catch.”
Other individuals may have been involved or knew about Robinson’s plan, FBI Director Kash Patel said during a Senate hearing on Sept. 16. There were more than 20 people in a Discord chat server with Robinson who are now being investigated, he said.
DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the rifle, the trigger, the fired cartridge casing, the unfired casings, and a towel used to wrap the rifle, Patel told members of Congress on Sept. 15. A bolt-action-style rifle that was allegedly used in the shooting was found discarded in a wooded area, officials said.
In his first court appearance this past week, a judge declared Robinson indigent and said the state would appoint legal counsel for him.
No attorney has been named for Robinson so far, and it’s not clear whether he has anyone who can speak on his behalf.
Robinson’s next court date is set for Sept. 29.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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