Court documents released Tuesday show text messages in which authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson told his transgender partner he planned and carried out the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and described his motive.
The messages, which prosecutors disclosed during Robinson’s first court appearance, include an exchange in which Robinson allegedly told his partner, Lance Twiggs, to "drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard," and wrote that he had left a note reading, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it." Robinson told Twiggs, "I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet," and later said, "I am, I'm sorry," in response to Twiggs asking whether Robinson had carried out the shooting. Prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty the same day; Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray submitted the motion, the prosecutor told the court.
The texts, filed with the court, include statements prosecutors say explain Robinson’s motive. In response to a question about why he acted, he wrote, "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out." The messages also discuss logistics: Robinson told Twiggs he had planned to retrieve a rifle from a "drop point" and worried about evidence, saying he had left the rifle "wrapped in a towel" and had hidden it in a bush after changing clothes. He told Twiggs he had been planning the attack for "a bit over a week," worried about leaving fingerprints and hoped the weapon would not be traced to him.
Robinson also referenced a bystander, George Zinn, 71, who was arrested on an obstruction charge after the shooting; Robinson described Zinn in the messages as "some crazy old dude." He warned Twiggs to delete their messages and advised, "if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent." The texts say Robinson planned to turn himself in and noted that a neighbor was a deputy.
Courtroom footage shown Tuesday, during the proceeding held virtually from the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, captured Robinson appearing to react after the prosecutor told the judge a death-penalty notice had been filed. In the clip, Robinson looked downward and appeared dazed as the filing was announced. A short video of that moment circulated widely on social media.
Robinson has been identified by prosecutors as the suspect in the shooting of Kirk, who was shot in the neck while debating with students at Utah Valley University last week. The shooting prompted an immediate law enforcement response and the arrest of a bystander on obstruction charges, according to court filings and law enforcement statements.
The texts and the prosecutor’s death-penalty filing were made public as Robinson made his initial appearance. The prosecutor told the judge that the notice was newly filed and should now be part of the court record. The filings do not resolve the allegations and formal charges and additional pretrial proceedings are expected as the case moves forward.
The documents include personal details that prosecutors say tie Robinson to the crime and to the communications with Twiggs. In one exchange, Robinson mentioned his father calling about a "very unique" family rifle and said his father had become "pretty diehard maga" since the 2016 presidential election. Twiggs told Robinson in the messages, "You weren't the one who did it right????" and later wrote, "I’m much more worried about you." Robinson signed off by telling Twiggs not to speak to the media and to seek legal counsel if questioned by police.
Prosecutors have provided the texts to the court as part of the record in a case that has drawn national attention because of the profile of the victim and the circumstances of the attack. Further hearings and filings are expected as the investigation and prosecution proceed.