Provo, Sep 17 (AP) - Authorities continue their intensive efforts to identify the individual responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week. Newly released court documents show that the man now charged with the crime, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was in communication with his romantic partner, admitting to the shooting.
Investigators report that Robinson fired a single fatal shot from a rooftop overlooking the outdoor venue where Kirk was speaking to a crowd of around 3,000 on September 10. After the incident, Robinson texted his partner, with whom he lived near St. George, Utah, about 387 kilometers southwest of the campus.
He instructed his partner to check under the keyboard at their home, where a note was found saying, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.” Astonished, his partner inquired if Robinson was indeed the shooter, to which he replied, “I am, I'm sorry.” The partner, whose identity remains undisclosed in the charging documents, did not report this information to law enforcement. Robinson eluded capture until the following night when his parents recognized him from a photo released by authorities and assisted in his peaceful surrender.
Robinson has been charged with capital murder among other offenses and could potentially face the death penalty. Officials are investigating whether any other individuals were aware of or assisted Robinson in the assassination, though the partner's involvement is unclear despite officials acknowledging their cooperation.
Prosecutors state that Robinson used a bolt-action rifle belonging to his grandfather to fatally shoot Kirk in the neck on the Orem campus, about 64 kilometers south of Salt Lake City. DNA evidence on the rifle’s trigger matched Robinson. He appeared briefly in court via video from jail, nodding slightly but mostly staring ahead as the judge detailed the charges and appointed him an attorney.
Charlie Kirk, 31, a father of two, was a significant figure in politics, known for energizing the Republican youth movement and assisting Donald Trump in regaining the presidency in 2024. His substantial following was built through social media, podcasts, and university engagements, where he allowed attendees to question and challenge him on various topics.
While authorities have not identified a definitive motive for the shooting, prosecutor Jeff Gray noted that Robinson expressed in a text to his partner that he was fed up with Kirk’s “hatred” and considered some forms of hate as non-negotiable. Robinson allegedly spent over a week planning the attack, though specifics of the plan remain undisclosed.
Gray abstained from confirming whether Kirk’s anti-transgender stances played a role in the motive, stating that is for a jury to decide. Robinson was romantically linked to a transgender roommate, as reported by investigators.
Robinson’s family indicated that he had grown more politically active, aligning with leftist views and advocating for LGBTQ rights, a shift that led to familial discussions, particularly contrasting his beliefs with his father’s “diehard MAGA” stance. Upon recognizing Robinson from the authorities' photo, his parents persuaded him to surrender after he confided in feeling suicidal.
Robinson was captured Thursday evening near his childhood home in St. George. Court documents reveal a text discussion with his partner where Robinson discussed retrieving his rifle from a “drop point,” but noted law enforcement presence in the area prevented him from doing so. He expressed a wish to maintain the secrecy of his actions until old age and apologized for involving his partner.
Prosecutors added charges of felony firearm discharge and obstructing justice, with Robinson also facing witness tampering for instructing his partner to erase text messages and remain silent if approached by police. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that investigations will extend to online interactions Robinson was involved in via a gaming chatroom on Discord, which connected him with more than 20 other users.
The charges include enhancements for carrying out the crime near children and for the political motivations underlying the violence. Charlie Kirk, a central figure in conservative circles and an associate of President Donald Trump, gained prominence through his Arizona-based organization, Turning Point USA, drawing young conservative Christians into the political sphere.
In the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, the country grapples with increasing political violence and divisive rhetoric. Despite calls for civility, criticism of Kirk's controversial statements continued posthumously, with Republican figures demanding punitive measures against individuals they perceive to dishonor his legacy. (AP) GRS GRS
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