It’s been less than a week since the shocking murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, and new details are beginning to emerge about the alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson. Investigators and media reports are slowly piecing together who Robinson is, his background, and what may have led to the deadly encounter that has garnered international attention.
Robinson, 22, lived in St. George, Utah, several hours away from the site of the shooting at Utah Valley University. He was in a third-year electrical apprentice program at Dixie Technical College.
Politically, while he had registered to vote he had never cast a ballot and is registered as “unaffiliated” with any political party.
He is formally charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
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Robinson allegedly used a bolt-action rifle, which he was gifted by his family, to commit the shooting. DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the trigger of the rifle, on fired cartridges, and on a towel the rifle was wrapped in when it was recovered.
Following the shooting, he allegedly attempted to conceal evidence by hiding and discarding clothing and the weapon he used in the shooting.
He also stands accused of instructing his roommate to delete messages shared between the two and to not speak to, or cooperate with, law enforcement.
It’s been reported that Robinson had a romantic relationship with his roommate, who is biologically male but identifies as female. All reports indicate that the roommate is cooperating with authorities.
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‘Some hate can’t be negotiated out’
Charges against Robinson include the allegation that he targeted Kirk because of “Robinson’s belief or perception regarding Charlie Kirk’s political expression,” USA Today reported.
According to a 10-page report released by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray, Robinson’s mother also told the police that her son had “begun to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders.”
Robinson’s father, who assisted in turning his son in to authorities, had significantly different political views than his son. The son had had once messaged his roommate that “since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga.”
Gray said that Robinson’s roommate — who has not been charged with a crime — shared text messages between the roommate and Robinson that revealed that Robinson had been planning the shooting for “a bit over a week.”
When Robinson was asked by his roommate why he did it, Robinson responded, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Gray said Robinson then directed his roommate to “delete his incriminating texts” and to “stay silent.”
“You are all I worry about love,” Robinson messaged his roommate, according to court documents.
What remains unclear is exactly how Robinson’s ideological views evolved, or precisely why this event became his target. While there are statements about Kirk “spreading hate” and about Robinson’s political leanings shifting, a full motive has yet to be confirmed.
In addition, whether there were any collaborators, or whether others knew his plan beforehand is still being investigated. There were several disturbing messages shared online prior to Kirk’s shooting, with one person with the X handle @NajraGalvz posting, “Charlie Kirk is coming to my college tomorrow i rlly hope someone evaporates him literally,” and, “Lets just say something big will happen tomorrow.”
