Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting remains in special housing after mental health evaluation

OREM, Utah — The Utah County Sheriff's Office said the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk remains in a special housing unit at the county jail, even though his mental health evaluation has been completed. Kirk was shot Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem and died later at a local hospital, authorities said.

Tyler Robinson, who faces multiple charges including aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and a 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, has not been moved from the jail’s special housing unit, according to officials.

Sgt. Ray Ormond of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital that Robinson has been seen by medical and mental health staff at the jail but will remain in the special housing unit for the time being. “Robinson has been seen by our medical and mental health staff. Due to patient privacy regulations, I’m not able to [go] further into that,” Ormond said. “Robinson will stay in our special housing unit for the time being.” When asked if Robinson will remain in the special housing unit indefinitely, Ormond replied, “That’s not set in stone and his housing location may change down the road.”

The department previously said Robinson would remain on a special watch status in the Utah County Sheriff’s Department special housing unit so staff could “keep an eye on him” until he cleared a mental health screening. Special watch status is used for reasons including violent behavior, the type of crime, suicidal comments and behavioral issues, the department said. It was not clear at the time whether Robinson had made any suicidal remarks; officials indicated there had not been prior confirmation of such statements.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital that the mental health evaluation likely “suggests that he should not be housed with the general population,” as Robinson remains within a “special housing unit.” A full mental health evaluation will be conducted by his defense team to try to negotiate a plea deal to save his life, to put on an insanity or diminished capacity defense during the guilt phase, which is challenging under Utah law, or to put on evidence of mitigation during the death penalty phase, Rahmani said.

Authorities have not detailed the substance of the mental health review, and privacy rules limit disclosure of medical and psychological findings. The case remains under active investigation as prosecutors prepare formally for trial. The judge has yet to set a timetable for hearings or a trial date, and updates are expected as defense and prosecution firms exchange information and build their cases.

As the investigation continues, officials emphasized that the ongoing mental health evaluation and housing determination do not reflect a conclusion about guilt. The case remains a high-profile homicide inquiry in Utah, drawing national attention to security at universities and the handling of mental health considerations in the pretrial process.