US4 min(s) read
Published 08:47 10 Jul 2026 GMT
The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk allegedly broke down in tears and made a chilling six-word admission to his roommate after the killing, according to testimony heard in a Utah courtroom.
During a preliminary hearing this week, prosecutors played an investigative interview with Tyler Robinson's former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, who described Robinson's behavior after the September 10, 2025, shooting.
Robinson, 23, faces aggravated murder and other charges over Kirk's death but has not yet entered a plea.
The hearing is intended to determine whether there is enough evidence for Robinson to stand trial in what could become a death penalty case.
Prosecutors also introduced text messages, photographs of the alleged murder weapon, and engraved ammunition that investigators say is linked to the case.
According to Twiggs, Robinson returned to their apartment the day after the shooting and confirmed what he had told him in text messages the previous night.
"I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before and he said it was. He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn't done it and then kept going around and just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted or something," Twiggs said, per BBC News.
Twiggs also told investigators that Robinson intended to turn himself in. Utah State Bureau of Investigation agent Brian Davis testified that Robinson arrived at the Washington County Sheriff's Office at about 9:00PM on September 11 with his parents and a family friend, where he was arrested.
Prosecutors also revealed text exchanges allegedly sent by Robinson shortly after the shooting.
After Kirk was killed, Robinson allegedly texted Twiggs telling him to "drop what you're doing" and "look under your keyboard."
In a note addressed to Twiggs as "Luna," Robinson allegedly wrote: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.
"I wish we could have lived in a world where this was not necessary."
The note concluded: "Please try and find joy in this life. I love you always, Tyler."
When Twiggs replied, "You weren't the one who did it, right?"
"I am," Robinson wrote in a text presented in court. "I'm sorry."
When Twiggs asked why, Robinson responded that he'd "had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
According to the evidence presented, Robinson continued texting while still near Utah Valley University, where investigators allege he shot the 31 year old father of two once in the neck as Kirk addressed a crowd.
Robinson allegedly told Twiggs that he had hidden his rifle in bushes after changing clothes and wrote, "If I'm able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence."
He also complained that crickets were too loud, believed a sniffer dog may have found the firearm, and later texted, "I'm just sitting in my car watching reels for another hour," before saying he was leaving Orem and heading back to the apartment he shared with Twiggs in St. George.
For the first time during the proceedings, prosecutors displayed photographs of the alleged bolt action rifle along with engraved bullets and cartridges recovered from both the crime scene and Robinson's residence.
According to the prosecution, inscriptions found at the scene included "If you read this, you are gay" and "Fascist! Catch!" Investigators also recovered a cartridge engraved with "Test Shot" from the home Robinson shared with Twiggs.
Twiggs told investigators Robinson had previously asked to borrow an engraving tool, saying he wanted to inscribe bullets for a camping and hunting trip with his family.
The prosecution also referenced an FBI report introduced earlier in the hearings, which described DNA belonging to Robinson and Twiggs on a rifle, screwdriver, and towel recovered at the scene. Robinson's defense team challenged the evidence and questioned the analyst about testing procedures, interpretation, and margins of error.
Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents, Kathryn and Robert, have attended the hearings throughout the week. Robinson's mother, Amber, cried as some of his messages were read aloud in court.
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