ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman was criticized after describing as “very touching” text messages prosecutors say were sent by the suspect in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk to his transgender partner.
The remarks came after Utah County authorities on Tuesday released messages they say were exchanged between 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson and his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, 22, in which Robinson allegedly confessed to the shooting and described details about a weapon and where it had been hidden. Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray read portions of the texts aloud at a news conference as part of the case briefing.
Gray told reporters investigators recovered a note Robinson allegedly left under a keyboard that read, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it," and that Robinson later instructed Twiggs to look under the keyboard for the note. According to the prosecutor's account, Robinson also wrote that he had left a rifle in the woods and described inscriptions on bullets. Prosecutors said Robinson urged Twiggs to delete the messages and later said he would turn himself in.
Gutman, speaking about the released texts, said they offered "a very intimate portrait" of the relationship between the suspect and his partner and called parts of the exchange "very touching in a way that I think many of us didn't expect." The comment prompted an immediate backlash on social media, where users described the characterization as inappropriate and called for actions ranging from reprimand to dismissal.
Critics on X — the platform formerly known as Twitter — posted a range of reactions, calling the remarks "despicable," "insane" and accusing the network of trying to "humanize" the accused. Some users contrasted Gutman's commentary with the grief of the victim's family, including Kirk's widow. The Daily Mail reported it reached out to ABC for comment.
Kirk, 31, a co-founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA and a prominent MAGA-aligned commentator, was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities have said the attack occurred in front of a crowd that included children and have described it as a politically motivated assassination.
Robinson turned himself in to authorities less than two days after the shooting after his father and a youth pastor urged him to do so, officials said. He has been held without bail and faces capital murder charges. Prosecutors have said they are seeking the death penalty. Robinson appeared in court via Zoom wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest and spoke only to confirm his identity, according to court accounts.
Utah officials have described Twiggs as cooperative with the FBI investigation, while Robinson has not been cooperative, Gov. Spencer Cox told NBC. Authorities have said Robinson held a "leftist ideology" and may have been radicalized online, statements that have been included in court filings and public comments by prosecutors.
Gray and other investigators have provided limited excerpts from the texts to explain the alleged sequence of events and the suspect's stated motives, including an alleged statement that he committed the killing because he "had enough of his hatred," according to the prosecutor's account. Investigators said the messages also included affectionate language toward Twiggs, which Gutman cited in his description.
The release of the messages and Gutman's subsequent commentary have highlighted tensions in public coverage of violent crime, particularly cases involving political figures and suspects with personal relationships that may complicate public perceptions. Media outlets and individual journalists have faced scrutiny in recent years over how they portray suspects, victims and the personal details that emerge during investigations.
Prosecutors have filed a protective order preventing Robinson from contacting Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, and other court filings outline potential aggravating circumstances, including that the crime occurred in the presence of children. The case remains under active investigation, and officials have said they will present evidence at future hearings as the prosecution prepares for trial.
Attorneys for Robinson were not identified at the time of the court appearance, and it remained unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. Law enforcement officials have urged anyone with additional information about the shooting or the suspect's preparations to contact investigators.
The killing prompted an outpouring of statements from conservative activists and national political figures denouncing the attack. Local authorities continue to work with federal partners on the investigation and to review the evidence disclosed so far as the prosecution moves forward.