Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

The conclusion of Robinson's first court appearance ends an extraordinary day here in Utah, as prosecutors unveiled seven charges over the killing of Charlie Kirk and said they would seek the death penalty.

This is only the beginning of what will likely be a long-running and highly scrutinised legal process. It could be some time before Robinson stands trial, if the case progresses to that stage.

Prosecutors and law enforcement are also still investigating the case, which could take weeks or months. Given Charlie Kirk's prominence, the stakes are high for authorities leading the charge on this case.

We’re now closing our live coverage. You can head to our news story for a comprehensive read of what’s happened today, or take a look at our profile piece on the suspect, Tyler Robinson.

Thank you for staying with us today.

Investigating social media accounts linked to Robinson’s roommatepublished at 23:27 BST 16 September

23:27 BST 16 September

By Shayan Sardarizadeh

During an earlier news conference, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said Tyler Robinson – who is accused of murdering Charlie Kirk - was in a “romantic relationship” with his roommate, a “biological male… undergoing a gender transition”.

Over the weekend, the Daily Mail said it had found a number of social media accounts allegedly linked to the roommate.

It mentioned a specific username.

We used this to search online and found accounts in this name on Steam, a platform popular with online gamers, as well as Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok.

Most of the posts from those accounts were about gaming and online culture, but the user did discuss politics on Reddit, including comments on forums about transgender people, religion and capitalism.

In one comment, the user described their experience of transitioning, describing how they had been told they were “possessed by a demon” and “kicked out of the house”.

Using the friends lists associated with those accounts, some online sleuths claim to have found Tyler Robinson’s profiles on platforms like Steam, Reddit and Venmo, a mobile payment app.

Comments posted by the accounts allegedly owned by Robinson were mostly about gaming.

BBC Verify has reviewed all of the accounts, but cannot confirm that they belong to Robinson and his roommate.

The BBC has contacted Reddit, Discord and Steam for comment on the ownership of the profiles.

John Ringer
Broadcast journalist

Tyler Robinson's income is low enough that he qualifies for a state-provided defence lawyer.

During the hearing, Judge Graf said he had reviewed Robinson's financial declaration - known as an Affidavit of Indigency - and agreed he met the criteria for legal aid.

Under Utah law, external, this means Robinson either has an income below $23,475 (about £17,200) - which is 150% of the federal poverty line - or that his income is higher but legal fees would be so costly they would deprive him or his family of "food, shelter, clothing, or other necessities".

Robinson's financial declaration hasn't been made public. At the time of his arrest, he was in the third year of an electrical apprenticeship programme at a technical college near his hometown of Washington, Utah.

We reported earlier that prosecutors are requesting the death penalty for Robinson.

They said in a court filing: "The decision to seek the death penalty is based on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime."

Tyler Robinson's court appearance has just wrapped up - here's what was said:

• Robinson appeared via video link, wearing a green vest top. Judge Graf began by asking him to state his name. "Tyler James Robinson," he replied
• Greg Skordas, a lawyer working on behalf of the county who is not involved in the case, told the court Robinson does not have a lawyer, but that he will arrange legal representation for him by the time of the waiver hearing on 29 September
• Utah County prosecutor Chad Grunander told the court it had filed a pre-trial protective order on behalf of Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow. Grunander also said prosecutors will seek the death penalty

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

During his court appearance, Robinson was wearing what looked like a dark green, sleeveless vest.

Two court officers told me the garment is meant to prevent self-harm. It’s not a bulletproof vest.

Earlier, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said Robinson suggested he would take his own life, before being persuaded to turn himself in.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

Judge Graf concludes the hearing and leaves the courtroom. Press and staff stand as the judge departs.

The Webex screen switches off, and our view of Robinson disappears. Court is now in recess.

Lawyer Greg Skordas, who is in court, says he is working with the county to get Robinson a lawyer.

Robinson does not appear to have legal representation at this time.

Judge Graf says a waiver hearing will take place on 29 September, and invites Robinson to join it.

Skordas says he will find Robinson representation by then.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

Robinson sits silently as Utah County prosecutor Chad Grunander tells the court they will seek the death penalty in this case.

Judge Graf says he will read the charges against Robinson.

Robinson gives a slight nod, and the judge continues.

On the screen, Robinson shows no expression as Judge Graf begins reading the seven counts against him.

As reported earlier, Robinson's charges are as follows:

• Count 1: Aggravated murder
• Count 2: Felony discharge of a firearm
• Count 3: Obstruction of justice - moving a firearm
• Count 4: Obstruction of justice - disposing of clothing
• Count 5: Witness tampering - telling a roommate to delete text messages
• Count 6: Witness tampering - directing a roommate to stay quiet
• Count 7: Violent offence committed in presence of a child

The prosecution says it has filed a pre-trial protective order on behalf of Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow.

Judge Graf has granted the request.

The prosecution also says it has filed notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Judge Graf informs Robinson of his right against self-incrimination, telling him that anything he says in court today could be used against him and that the court wants to protect his rights.

He says the next hearing will be on 29 September at 10:00 local time (12:00 ET, 17:00 BST).

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

The Webex screen turns on, and we see Tyler Robinson appear for the first time.

He has got short hair and is wearing a green top or vest.

"Can you state your name?" the judge asks.

"Tyler James Robinson," he says.

Robinson is appearing via video link before Judge Tony Graf now.

Stay with us for the latest updates.

Tyler Robinson will be appearing in the next few minutes.

We'll bring you text updates here throughout, but you can also follow our stream by pressing Watch live at the top of this page.

Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Provo, Utah

Robinson's hearing is about to get under way at the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Provo, Utah.

Robinson will appear virtually, while Judge Tony Graf will preside from the courtroom.

A large computer monitor displays a WebEx screen, where we'll get our first look at Robinson when the hearing starts at around 15:00 local time (17:00 ET / 22:00 BST).

The physical courtroom is large, with burled wood panelling surrounding the bench, the jury box and the audience.

The hearing is taking place in a relatively new, modern courthouse. The waiting area outside the courtroom has floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a commanding view of the towering mountains that surround Provo.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has said prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson.

"I do not take this decision lightly," he said.

Statutes for the penalty differ across the 27 states that still practise capital punishment. But in Utah, those who commit aggravated murder - which Robinson is charged with - can face the death penalty.

Utah was also the first state to resume executions after the practice was reinstated in the US in 1976, when a convicted murderer was killed by firing squad in 1977 - a method only authorised in five states across the country. Since then, a total of six others have been executed.

Some had hoped to abolish the practice in Utah, but a bill brought forward in 2022 , externalfailed to pass by a single vote.

The latest execution was of convicted murderer and rapist Taberon Honie, external in August 2024 - the first to take place in the state in 14 years.

Image source, Getty Images

In the news conference, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has shared the etching found on the rounds.

Robinson has reportedly said those messages are "mostly a big meme". Investigators say they show how Robinson was deeply involved in online culture.

Here are the possible meanings of some of them.

One unfired round had the words "Hey fascist! Catch!" along with an up, right and three down arrows. These could refer to the video game Helldivers 2, as the arrows match the input needed to use one of the game's destructive special moves.

Another round reads "Notices Bulge, OwO What’s This?" - apparently a reference to a meme about furries and online roleplaying.

One round was inscribed with lyrics from the song "Bella Ciao", which honours World War Two-era partisans of the Italian resistance who fought Nazi Germany.

The song also appears frequently in cultural products and internet culture.

While we wait for Tyler Robinson's virtual appearance in court, let's look back at how Robinson was caught just 33 hours after Charlie Kirk was killed.

During that time, officers sifted through CCTV footage from the Utah campus where the shooting happened, as well as nearby areas, searching for clues about the suspect and his whereabouts.

We now know that video evidence showed the suspect entering campus at around 11:51 local time (17:51 GMT) that day, wearing a black shirt with an American flag in the centre, a baseball cap and sunglasses.

Investigators say they noticed he was walking with an unusual gait - suggesting he was hiding the rifle allegedly used in the shooting in his trousers.

After the first shot was fired, a surveillance camera captured someone leaving the roof with an item that looks like a rifle.

The person dropped it as he leapt from the roof, then picked it up again and headed off campus towards a wooded area.

Police later found the weapon and rounds but had no lead on the suspect’s location.

They released images of the person to the public, hoping to find him.

The manhunt ended when Robinson surrendered to police.

The suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder is due in court in just over an hour.

Tyler Robinson will be read the list of seven charges we've just learned about from county prosecutors, and will enter a plea.

He'll appear virtually, and the hearing at this stage is likely to be very brief.

We already know that, because prosecutors are planning to seek the death penalty, he'll be held without bail until his trial begins.

Here’s the rest of that alleged text conversation between Robinson and his roommate from after Kirk’s shooting.

Robinson: If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven't seen anything about them finding it.

Roommate: How long have you been planning this?

Robinson: a bit over a week I believe. I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don't wanna chance it

Robinson: I'm wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle.... I'm worried what my old man would do if I didn't bring back grandpas rifle ... idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn't trace to me. I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits. didn't have the ability or time to bring it with.... I might have to abandon it and hope they don't find prints. how the [expletive] will I explain losing it to my old man....

only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel....

remember how I was engraving bullets? The [expletive] messages are mostly a big meme, if I see "notices bulge uwu” on fox new I might have a stroke alright im gonna have to leave it, that really [expletive] sucks.... judging from today I'd say grandpas gun does just fine idk. I think that was a $2k scope;-;

Robinson: delete this exchange

Robinson: my dad wants photos of the rifle ... he says grandpa wants to know who has what, the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. Hes calling me rn, not answering.

Robinson: since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga.

Robinson: Im gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.

Robinson: you are all I worry about love

Roommate: I'm much more worried about you

Robinson: don't talk to the media please. don't take any interviews or make any comments. ... if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent