Tyler Robinson was briefly suicidal as he feared the police or some other law enforcement team would end up killing him during a search or raid as the probe into Charlie Kirk's murder in Utah progressed, reports said. However, 33 hours after the incident, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby got a call from a family friend of the Robinson household who revealed that the suspect in the shooting was willing to come in voluntarily and wished to avoid any unfavourable encounter with the agencies during the manhunt.
Within an hour after the telephone conversation ended, Tyler Robinson arrived at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office accompanied by his parents and the family friend who made the call. The 22-year-old had detectives awaiting him in plainclothes. They greeted him and managed the situation as peacefully and gently as possible, Fox News said in a report. As part of honouring his decision to surrender, the detectives did their part to make him feel comfortable and didn't handcuff him, the report added.
Tyler was offered water to drink as he was asked to wait in an interview room in the company of his parents until federal and state investigators arrived to take him into custody. Around 2 am the next morning, he was transferred to Utah County, the report added.
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Meanwhile, it was reported that Tyler Robinson showed no sign of remorse during his first court appearance. According to reports, he attended the court virtually as he stood motionless, wearing a suicide smock designed to prevent him from harming himself. The youngster was slapped with seven charges, including aggravated murder, which could lead to the death penalty if convicted. He faces two counts of obstruction of justice for concealing the rifle used in the shooting of Charlie Kirk and for changing the clothes he wore during the crime.
Tyler Robinson trial
Referring to Charlie Kirk's murder as an "American tragedy", Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he is seeking the death penalty for Robinson. "I do not take this decision lightly, and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence, circumstances, and nature of the crime," he said. Gray added that he will seek death by firing squad for Tyler, in accordance with Utah law.
Tyler is scheduled for his next hearing on September 29. He is being held at a special housing unit in Washington County Jail without the possibility of bail.