Introduction to the Case
The day conservative activist Charlie Kirk was gunned down while debating students on a Utah college campus, the man eventually charged with his murder sent his roommate a text message, officials said.
“Drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,” Tyler James Robinson wrote, according to court papers filed Tuesday by Utah County Attorney Jeff Grey.
The roommate, whom Robinson referred to as “my love” and whose name police have not released, did so and found a note.
“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” the note allegedly said.
Background on the Suspect and the Crime
While the manhunt for Kirk’s killer was underway, Robinson’s parents began to suspect that the photo of the shooter flashing on the news might be their son and that the murder weapon might be the rifle he received as a gift.
Officials said that as his parents grappled with those questions, Robinson continued to text his roommate, whom police described as “a biological male who was involved in a romantic relationship” with the suspect and transitioning to female.
“My dad wants photos of the rifle,” Robinson wrote, according to the charging document. “Hes calling me rn, not answering.”
Robinson told his roommate to “delete this exchange,” officials allege.
The roommate didn’t, and the thread became evidence that Grey used to charge Robinson with aggravated murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Kirk on Sept. 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Robinson, 22, is also charged with felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and several other counts, and officials said they would seek the death penalty.
Motive and Planning
He told his roommate that he had been planning the attack for over a week and referred to the engravings on the bullets police recovered as a “big meme,” the charging document alleges.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox previously said inscriptions were found on at least four bullets discovered after Kirk’s assassination.
One engraving read, “Hey fascist! Catch! ↑ → ↓↓↓,” a seeming reference, at least in part, to a video game that has been interpreted as a satire of fascism.
Kirk, 31, a popular but polarizing podcast host and conservative activist who had been one of President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters, was bantering with students when he was fatally shot from a rooftop about two football fields away.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at a Utah Valley University event.
Investigation and Arrest
Officials allege that Robinson had already discarded the clothes he had been wearing and hidden the rifle after the shooting when he texted his roommate.
The roommate at first didn’t believe he was involved in Kirk’s killing, according to the text exchanges in the charging document.
“What?????????????? You’re joking right????” the roommate wrote back.
Robinson wasn’t joking, the charging document alleges.
“I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age,” he texted, according to the document. “I am sorry to involve you.”
The Roommate’s Reaction and Robinson’s Explanation
But Robinson’s roommate still didn’t believe it, noting that authorities said they had a person in custody.
“No, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing,” Robinson purportedly texted. “I had planned to grab my rifle from the drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down.”
Detectives later found a Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle in a wooded area near the university.
The roommate also asked Robinson the question many Americans had been asking since the shocking shooting: “Why?”
“I had enough of his hatred,” Robinson texted back, according to the charging document. “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson’s Background and Family
Robinson was raised in a conservative family, and his mother told investigators that over the previous year her son “had started to lean more to the left — become more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” the court papers said.
Officials said that Robinson’s parents didn’t start suspecting their son was involved in Kirk’s killing until the day after the shooting and that his mother "called her son and asked him where he was.”
“He said he was home sick and that he had also been home sick on September 10th,” the papers stated.
But neither she nor Robinson’s dad believed him.
“In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robinson said was a ‘stupid venue,’” the papers said. “Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate.”
Conclusion
The case of Charlie Kirk’s murder has brought to light a complex and disturbing series of events. The suspect, Tyler James Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder and other counts, and officials are seeking the death penalty. As the investigation continues, more details are emerging about Robinson’s motives and planning, as well as his background and family. The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern, and it will likely have significant implications for the ongoing debate about hate speech, violence, and extremism.
FAQs
Q: Who was Charlie Kirk?
A: Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist and podcast host who was fatally shot on September 10 during an appearance at Utah Valley University.
Q: Who is the suspect in the case?
A: The suspect is Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old man who has been charged with aggravated murder and other counts.
Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: According to the charging document, Robinson told his roommate that he had enough of Kirk’s hatred and that some hate can’t be negotiated out.
Q: How did Robinson’s parents react to the news?
A: Robinson’s parents began to suspect that their son might be involved in Kirk’s killing after they saw a photo of the shooter on the news. They later convinced Robinson to meet with them and turn himself in.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: The case is ongoing, and officials are seeking the death penalty for Robinson. The investigation is continuing, and more details are emerging about Robinson’s motives and planning.
