Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is being held on “special watch” in a Special Housing Unit as Utah jail officials assess his mental state.
Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Raymond Ormond said Robinson is on 24-hour watch with 15-minute checks by both personnel and mental health professionals to assess if he poses a threat to himself or others.
Police sources had earlier revealed Robinson had told his father he would rather kill himself than surrender to the police. Authorities have not indicated if he has made the same remarks while in custody.
Robinson was arrested Friday on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, though formal charges haven’t been filed. Police allege he shot Kirk, 31, in the neck at a gathering at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk later died in hospital.
Surveillance video captured after the shooting showed a man in a black T-shirt, hat, and sunglasses fleeing the scene. Robinson was later identified and arrested. A probable cause affidavit stated he had previously talked ill of Kirk to family members.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
