Authorities have released new details surrounding the suspected shooter of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, days after his shocking death at Utah Valley University (UVU).
Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk in the neck as he spoke on campus on Wednesday (September 10).
The attack, which occurred as the Turning Point USA founder discussed gun violence, was captured on camera, showing him collapsing in his chair with blood pouring from the wound.
Kirk was rushed to the hospital by his security team, but shortly afterward, President Donald Trump announced that his ally was dead.
Robinson was arrested on Friday (September 12) after a 33-hour manhunt. Trump later revealed that someone “close” to Robinson had “turned him in” to authorities.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed the suspect has remained silent since being taken into custody and is “not cooperating," per BBC News.
Speaking with CNN on Sunday (September 14), Cox was pressed about reports that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology," and said: “So that information comes from the people around him, from his family members and friends. That's how we got that information.
“Again, there's so much more that we're learning and so much more that we will learn... official charges will be filed on Tuesday, and there will be much more evidence and information available then.”
While declining to detail “discussions” Robinson allegedly had with his family about Kirk, Cox said only: “Just not a fan. That’s all I can say.”
Police are also reviewing disturbing messages Robinson allegedly exchanged with friends on Discord in the hours after the shooting.
According to The New York Times, he was allegedly tagged in a group chat where users wrote “wya” [where you at] with a skull emoji, joking that he resembled the man being sought by the FBI. Robinson allegedly replied that it was his “doppelganger” trying to “get me in trouble.”
“Tyler killed Charlie!!!” a second user reportedly wrote, while one chat member suggested turning Robinson in for the $100,000 FBI reward. “Only if I get a cut,” Robinson reportedly replied.
“Whatever you do, don’t go to a McDonald’s anytime soon,” another user joked, referencing killer Luigi Mangioni, who was found at the restaurant and charged with the killing of a health insurance chief executive in Manhattan.
Robinson then allegedly added that he “better also get rid of this manifesto and exact copy rifle I have lying around,” before insisting the shooter was “CLEARLY” from California.
Discord has denied that its platform was used to plan the attack, per The Verge.
As the investigation continues, Kirk’s widow, Erika, has vowed to honor her late husband’s legacy.
Speaking during a Turning Point USA livestream on Friday, she pledged to continue his campus tours and confirmed Americafest, the group’s annual conference, will still be held in Phoenix this December.
“There will be even more tours in the years to come,” Erika said, calling her husband a “martyr” in her first public remarks since the killing, and saying "he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith.”
She also reflected on Kirk’s passions, describing him as a man who “loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped him always bring him closer to God. He loved the Chicago Cubs and, my goodness, did he love the Oregon Ducks.
“Most of all,” she said, “Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart, and I knew that every day.”