With prosecutors set to file a capital murder charge against Charlie Kirk's alleged killer Tyler Robinson, there are speculations that the Utah man could be executed by firing squad.
Utah is one of the five states in the United States that still uses firing squad as a legal capital punishment method. However, the primary method of execution in the country is lethal injection.
Among the charges that the prosecutors in Utah County are expected to file on Tuesday include aggravated murder, which could put Tyler Robinson on death row if convicted. It should be noted that in the state of Utah, aggravated murder is the only crime for which death penalty is a sentencing possibility.
Utah has given capital punishment to only seven people since 1977. However, in the entire US, only four firing squad executions have occurred since 1976, when the Supreme Court reinstated death penalty. The most recent firing squad execution in the country was in South Carolina for Brad Sigmon in March, making him the first person to die by this execution method in the state for 15 years.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox had earlier pledged to put the shooter of Charlie Kirk on death row once he is caught.
President Donald Trump had also called for death penalty for the killer of his ally Charlie Kirk. "I hope he’s going to be found guilty and I hope he gets the death penalty," Trump said.
Tyler Robinson could also be charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
After the charges are filed, Tyler Robinson will be brought in for a virtual court hearing, according to the Daily Mail. Authorities said he has refused to cooperate with the investigators.
The authorities believe he was a lone wolf attacker, but they are also probing if anyone else was aware of his plans before the shooting.