Federal investigators say the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk lived with a transgender partner who is cooperating with the FBI as agents continue to piece together the motive and movements behind the shooting.
Senior FBI officials told Fox News Digital that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson shared an apartment in Saint George, Utah, with an unnamed romantic partner who is a male transitioning to female. Those officials said text messages and other communications recovered from the couple’s devices helped investigators identify Robinson as the suspect in the Sept. 10 shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem.
FBI officials described the partner as "extremely cooperative" and said the person told investigators they had "no idea" Robinson was allegedly planning the attack. The partner has not been accused of any criminal activity in connection with the killing, and the FBI declined to confirm whether charges would be brought against that individual.
Investigators recovered computers and other evidence from the Saint George apartment that have been sent to the FBI lab in Quantico for further analysis, the officials said. An FBI spokesperson said the bureau is following a large number of leads. "The FBI is investigating a record number of tips," the spokesperson said. "Every connection, every group, every link will be investigated and anyone involved in this matter, anywhere in the world they might be, will be brought to justice."
The apartment where Robinson and his partner lived is in the same southern Utah community where Robinson's parents reside, roughly a four-hour drive from Orem. A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that Robinson’s father recognized his son in surveillance images released during a roughly 33-hour manhunt and ultimately turned him in to authorities. The source said the father spoke with a minister the family knew before contacting the FBI and that Robinson told his father he wanted to kill himself when he arrived at the older man’s home.
Robinson has been identified by law enforcement sources as the lone suspect in the shooting that killed Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. Authorities say a single shot struck Kirk as he spoke to a crowd on the Utah Valley University campus. Officials have said the shot was fired from the roof of a building about 200 yards from the stage.
Kirk, 31, a married father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities recovered a bolt-action rifle near the campus; Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said investigators found inscriptions on bullet casings recovered with the weapon that contained anti-fascist messaging. Officials reported one used casing and three unused casings contained writings; the markings were first circulated on social media in a bulletin attributed to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Federal officials have not publicly released a motive for the shooting. The investigation has included analysis of electronic communications recovered from Robinson's residence and interviews with people who knew him. During the campus event just before the shooting, audience members had posed questions about trans shooters and mass shootings, exchanges that have been cited in law enforcement summaries of the event.
Robinson's detention and any charging decisions are being handled as the FBI and local prosecutors continue forensic work and follow leads from tips. Authorities have emphasized they are examining "every connection" related to the case and have not identified additional suspects. The FBI and local law enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for further comment beyond statements released through their offices.