Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared virtually for his first court date on Tuesday after being charged with seven counts. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced that the state will seek the death penalty against Robinson. Utah law allows executions by firing squad or lethal injection, though prosecutors have not yet specified which method they will pursue if Robinson is convicted and sentenced to death.

Gray emphasized that his decision to seek the death penalty was made independently and based solely on the evidence and nature of the crime. He also stressed that Robinson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury.

Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, two counts of witness tampering, two counts of obstruction of justice, and a violent crime committed in front of a child. Prosecutors revealed that Robinson instructed his roommate—also his partner, who is transitioning from male to female—to delete texts and remain silent while hiding evidence like the gun and clothes.

Police reports and video show that Kirk, 31 and a father of two, was shot from a rooftop about 200 yards away while speaking at Utah Valley University. Robinson reportedly admitted in text messages that he had planned the attack for over a week, expressing hatred toward Kirk’s views and describing efforts to dispose of evidence.

While Robinson’s exact job and the process of his radicalization remain unclear, police noted he had become more radicalized over the past year, partly influenced by his relationship with his transitioning roommate.