Tyler Robinson has been charged with the murder of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
The 22-year-old, from Washington, Utah, was charged with aggravated murder, weapon, and obstruction of justice offences ahead of a court appearance later today.
Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.
It is alleged that Robinson also ordered his roommate to delete “incriminating texts” about the killing and to “stay silent” if questioned by police.
Kirk, 31, was killed at one of his rallies at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
The political activist, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, died after being hit in the neck with a bullet.
County attorney Jeff Gray said “aggravating factors” in the killing included that the “defendant is believed to have targeted him [Kirk] based on his political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide”.
Horrified members of the audience quickly scrambled to escape, sparking an FBI search.
Robinson had been held without bail since his arrest.
Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and have carried out a search at his family home, 240 miles (385km) southwest of where the shooting took place.
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