Former ESPN presenter Samantha Ponder has faced a barrage of hostile messages following her public expressions of grief over the killing of the 31-year-old conservative commentator last week.
The harassment intensified after she posted on social media platform X about her sadness regarding the death of the Turning Point USA executive director.
"My DMs are more disturbing than ever (and trust me, that's sayin something)," Ponder wrote on the platform.
She revealed that critics were suggesting that only those with perfect records deserved to be mourned after being murdered in their thirties whilst leaving behind a spouse and young children.
Sam Ponder opened up on the harassment she has received online since posting a tribute to Charlie Kirk
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The sports broadcaster defended her right to grieve, writing: "Mourn with those who mourn. If I ever see hypocrisy, let me see it in myself."
Tyler Robinson, aged 22, faces capital murder charges for the fatal shooting of Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University in Orem.
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The conservative influencer was killed whilst addressing an audience, moments after making controversial statements about transgender individuals and mass shootings.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray announced the charges on Tuesday, confirming prosecutors would seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. The suspect remains in custody without bond following his arrest.
Robinson surrendered to authorities the day after the shooting, assisted by a family friend who served in local law enforcement.
His arrest followed the discovery of surveillance footage that his parents believed showed their son as the suspected gunman.
Prosecutors unveiled text messages that exposed Robinson's political motivations for the assassination.
The messages, exchanged with his partner who was described as "transitioning genders", revealed Robinson's frustration with what he perceived as Kirk's "hatred".
"Some hate can't be negotiated out," Robinson wrote to his partner about Kirk. The texts were presented as evidence during Tuesday's charging announcement.
Robinson's mother informed investigators that her son had shifted politically leftward over the past year, becoming increasingly supportive of LGBT rights.
This ideological transformation created tensions within the family, particularly with Robinson's father, whom the suspect described in texts as "pretty diehard maga".
Before the shooting, Robinson had mentioned Kirk's planned appearance at the university to his mother, calling it a "stupid venue" and accusing the commentator of "spreading hate", according to prosecutors.
Robinson's confession emerged through text exchanges with his roommate, whom he addressed as his "love" in the messages. When asked directly whether he was responsible for the shooting, Robinson allegedly responded: "I am, I'm sorry."
The suspect expressed regret about involving his roommate, writing: "I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age." He later told his father that "there is too much evil" and claimed Kirk "spreads too much hate", according to prosecutors.
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Tyler Robinson said he 'hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age'
| OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF UTAHPhysical evidence strengthened the case against Robinson. DNA discovered on the discarded rifle matched the suspect, whilst bullet casings bore inscriptions including "hey fascist" and "O bella ciao", an Italian anti-fascist resistance song.
Robinson dismissed these engravings as "mostly a big meme" in texts to his roommate.
The Trump administration has issued warnings about potential action against liberal organisations in response to Kirk's murder. This development emerged as prosecutors emphasised the political nature of the killing.
Jeffrey S. Gray, the lead prosecutor in Utah County, acknowledged the gravity of pursuing capital charges based on political targeting. "I do not take this decision lightly," Gray stated during Tuesday's press conference.
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Charlie Kirk was shot dead during a speech at Utah Valley University | GETTYThe prosecutor stressed that his decision to seek the death penalty was made independently, based solely on available evidence and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
He specifically cited Robinson's apparent targeting of "Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk's political expression" as an aggravating factor supporting the capital murder charge.