Court filings and testimony have revealed new details in the case of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting American conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week.
Prosecutors say Robinson confessed in text messages to his roommate — described in court documents as his romantic partner — and left a handwritten note hidden under a computer keyboard.
According to charging papers, Robinson’s mother first identified him after the FBI released surveillance images of the suspected rooftop shooter. She told investigators the suspect resembled her son, but when she called him, Robinson insisted he was “home sick.”
Her suspicions deepened when she recognised the rifle shown in the investigation as similar to one gifted to him by his grandfather. Robinson’s father pressed him to send a photo of the weapon, but the 22-year-old refused and hinted at taking his own life.
The parents eventually persuaded Robinson to return home, where he admitted to the shooting, telling them: “There is too much evil, and the guy (Kirk) spreads too much hate.”
On September 11, Robinson turned himself in to the Washington County sheriff’s office with his parents and a family friend.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray detailed messages exchanged between Robinson and his roommate. In one text, the roommate asked:
“You weren’t the one who did it right????”
Robinson replied: “I am, I’m sorry.”
Another exchange revealed Robinson’s rationale: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
On the day of the shooting, Robinson had instructed his roommate to check under his keyboard. There, police later recovered a note that read: “Well I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, a close ally of former President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot once in the neck while addressing a question about mass shootings involving transgender individuals.
The bullet narrowly missed several bystanders, including children. Kirk collapsed on stage and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Prosecutors said Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the rifle used in the killing. The weapon matched a bolt-action rifle previously owned by his grandfather.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime in the presence of children. He is being held without bail in a special housing unit at Utah County Jail.
Prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty.
Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had become more politically outspoken in recent years, supporting gay and transgender rights. Court documents state that he was in a relationship with his roommate, a transgender person.
Prosecutors have not confirmed whether Kirk’s views on transgender issues motivated the shooting. “That is for a jury to decide,” Attorney Gray said.
Gray described the killing as “an American tragedy,” emphasising that Kirk was targeted while engaging in free speech: “He was murdered during the free exchange of ideas, the bedrock of our democratic republic.”
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. A trial date has not been set.
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