Camilla Jessen
What authorities say about suspect Tyler Robinson.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, remains silent as investigators piece together the motive behind the attack.
Arrest Made 33 Hours After Shooting
Tyler Robinson was taken into custody approximately 33 hours after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The high-profile attack took place Wednesday.
Republican Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed to ABC News and BBC that Robinson is “not cooperating” with investigators and has not confessed to the crime.
“He Was Joking — Until He Admitted It”
According to a New York Times article, Robinson allegedly communicated with several individuals via the messaging platform Discord following the shooting.
He reportedly joked about being the gunman before ultimately admitting responsibility.
Governor Cox confirmed the existence of these exchanges.
“All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely took place and that the people he spoke to did not believe he would have shot Kirk,” he told ABC News. “He was joking until, you know, he admitted that he actually did the shooting.”
Suspect’s Partner Cooperating Fully
Though Robinson has not provided details to police, others close to him are cooperating. That includes his roommate, who is also reportedly his partner.
Governor Cox described this individual as “incredibly cooperative” and confirmed that the partner had no prior knowledge of Robinson’s plans to attack Kirk.
Cox also told CNN that the partner is currently “transitioning from male to female” but said it is still unclear whether this detail is relevant to the motive.
Deeply Ideological?
In earlier comments to The Wall Street Journal, Cox stated that Robinson appeared to be “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”
When pressed about the statement on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, the governor clarified that this assessment came from interviews with the suspect’s friends and family.
“There are many things we are learning and many things we will learn,” Cox said. “When formal charges are filed, there will be a lot more evidence and information available.”
Charges Filed, No Bail
Tyler Robinson is currently being held at Utah County Jail without bail.
He faces multiple charges, including murder, use of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. Authorities continue to interview those who knew him in hopes of uncovering a motive.
“We’re interviewing all sorts of people — everyone who knows him — and trying to find out more about what the motivation actually was,” Cox said.
Social Media Under Fire
In the wake of the killing, Governor Cox has turned his focus to broader societal issues. He has been vocal about the role of social media in fueling division and radicalization.
He told CNN that platforms like Discord, TikTok, and X contribute to political instability and mental health struggles, particularly among young people.
“They’re a cancer,” Cox said. “We need to get phones out of classrooms” and hold tech companies more accountable.
“A Direct Attack on America”
The governor described the shooting as “a direct attack on America” and called for unity across the political spectrum.
He urged citizens to reflect on the country’s direction: “We need to look in the mirror and decide whether we are going to try to make things better or make them worse.”
