An eyewitness to the assassination of Charlie Kirk has revealed her despair at seeing the reaction of his alleged shooter during his first court appearance.
Popular right wing political influencer Kirk – whose fan base numbered in the millions – was speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, September 10, the first stop on his American Comeback tour.
20 minutes into the engagement, estimated to have attracted a crowd of 3,000 plus people, Kirk was answering a question on mass shootings in the US when a single gunshot rang out.
Kirk was struck in the neck by a bullet fired from a bolt-action rifle believed to have been fired from a nearby rooftop. He was immediately rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead 90 minutes later.
A much-publicized, dramatic manhunt to find his killer ensued, with the FBI appealing for the public’s help in bringing the individual responsible to justice.
33 hours later, on Friday, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, of Utah, had been taken into custody. Reports claim that Robinson’s father had recognized his son from the images released of the primary suspect wanted in connection with the murder, and thereafter convinced him to hand himself in.
Robinson’s first court appearance came yesterday, when the 22-year-old appeared via video link in the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Provo, Utah. As per CNN, the courtroom seats were predominantly filled with media, but there were members of the public there too, including Keri Rasmussen and her daughter Bri.
The mom and daughter duo had been present at the event where Kirk was slain. Utah Valley University is Bri’s alma mater, and she said she and her mother had attended the talk wanting to “hear both sides and to see the good in people.”
Of the horrifying moment Kirk was shot dead, Bri revealed: “It plays over and over in my mind. I’ve never experienced time like that ever.”
Robinson now faces seven criminal counts, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
The 22-year-old suspected shooter, as mentioned, appeared virtually in Judge Tony Graf’s courtroom, and a great many the world over will likely follow his forthcoming legal proceedings with intrigue.
According to Keri and Bri, however, Robinson did not exhibit any signs of regret during his first outing before a judge.
“I wanted to see if he felt terrible, sorrowful, regretful. I think I hoped for remorse,” Bri, describing why she attended the hearing, said. “But there was nothing.”
Mom Keri, meanwhile, fought tears as she added: “I thought, well, you know, maybe we’ll see a glimpse of something? Nothing.
“I guess I’m not surprised. I mean, you’ve got to be dead inside to be able to do something like that.”
It was announced yesterday that Robinson, 22, faces charges of aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
It was reported earlier this week that Robinson had confessed to his roommate in the hours following last week’s shooting.
Robinson will remain in custody without bail. His next hearing date is scheduled for September 29.
READ MORE
- Charlie Kirk suspect made haunting comment to his dad after shooting
- Charlie Kirk suspect sent disturbing messages to friends after assassination
