(NEXSTAR) – New details regarding what led up to the arrest of the man suspected of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, and what he allegedly told his roommate in the aftermath, were released Tuesday.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on Sept. 11, more than a day after investigators say the Utah man fired a single shot at Kirk as the conservative influencer spoke at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31, was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Officials announced last week that Robinson’s family had helped to turn him over to authorities. Initially, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said it was Robinson’s father who recognized his son in photos released by the FBI, but new information released Tuesday shows Robinson’s mother may have initially made that identification.
According to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray, Robinson’s mother saw the same photos in the news and believed the person being sought by the FBI looked like her son. On Sept. 11, Gray said the man’s mother contacted her son to ask where he was. Robinson allegedly told her that he was home sick, and had been home sick the day prior when Kirk was killed.
However, Gray explained, Robinson’s mother expressed concerns to his father that the man in the FBI photos was Robinson. The man’s father agreed and reportedly believed the rifle police suspected the shooter of using matched a rifle that had been gifted to Robinson. When asked about the rifle by his father, Robinson allegedly did not respond. He did speak on the phone with his parents and “implied that he planned to take his own life,” Gray said.
His parents were then able to convince Robinson to meet at their home in St. George, Utah, a roughly three-and-a-half-hour drive from Utah Valley University.
“As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it,” Gray explained Tuesday. “When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there was too much evil, and the guy, referring to Charlie Kirk, spreads too much hate.”
Robinson’s family said they were able to talk him into turning himself in, and to speak with a family friend, a retired deputy sheriff. While speaking with the family friend, Robinson allegedly admitted to disposing of the clothes he wore to Utah Valley University.
Robinson admitted to shooting Kirk in texts with roommate: Gray
Before turning himself in, Gray said Robinson told his roommate, whom he had been romantically involved with, to look for a note under his keyboard. The note allegedly read, “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.”
When the roommate asked Robinson if he was joking, Robinson responded, “I am still okay, my love, but I’m stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest, I’d hope to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”
According to the text exchange read by Gray, the unidentified roommate then asked Robinson if he was “the one who did it.”
Robinson then responded, “I am, I am. I’m sorry,” according to Gray. He then acknowledged that two other people had been apprehended: a man who now faces charges after allegedly trying to help divert police attention following the shooting, and another who has been cleared by authorities.
When asked why he did it, Robinson allegedly texted his roommate that he “had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out.” He also reportedly said he had been planning for “a bit over a week,” according to texts read by Gray.
In subsequent texts, Robinson said he intended to “grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after but most of that side of town got locked down.” He then told his roommate that “there’s one vehicle lingering” as he attempted to recover the rifle in the hopes that he “will have left no evidence.” Texts shared by Gray also showed that Robinson believed the rifle would not be traced to him and that the messages he had engraved onto bullets were “mostly a big meme.”
“If I see ‘notices bulges OWO’ on Fox News, I might have a stroke,” one text allegedly read. After exchanging additional messages about the rifle, Gray said Robinson instructed his roommate to “delete this exchange.” He then said he was turning himself in “willingly” before telling his roommate not to speak with the media, and that if questioned by police, to “ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”
Authorities said last week that Robinson’s roommate was cooperating with investigators. Gray declined to say Tuesday whether they could face charges in the investigation. It was also unclear when exactly the text messages had been sent.
Robinson is now facing charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstructing justice. Gray said Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.