The FBI attempted to keep the gender identity of the roommate of the accused shooter in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk under wraps because the roommate was “extremely cooperative” with investigators, law enforcement sources said.
Authorities say the roommate, identified in reporting as Lance Twiggs, provided messages and other information that helped lead to the arrest of Tyler Robinson, who has been charged in the fatal shooting at a debate hosted by Kirk at Utah Valley University. According to sources familiar with the investigation, Twiggs told investigators, “Oh my God, no,” when confronted about his connection to the alleged plot and handed over messages that aided the probe.
Investigators have said Discord messages sent by an account listed as “Tyler” included references to wrapping a rifle in a towel and stashing it in bushes near the university. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recounted at a news conference that one message indicated the rifle would need to be retrieved. A court affidavit detailed conversations in which the alleged shooter also discussed changing outfits after the shooting, material that prosecutors cited when seeking an aggravated murder charge against Robinson — the only charge in Utah that carries the death penalty.
Federal and local officials have said they are examining a broad range of evidence to determine motive, including the nature of the relationship between Robinson and his roommate. Public records and statements to media outlets confirm Twiggs and Robinson lived at the same address, and a family relative told the New York Post they were roommates.
Officials have said Twiggs has been transitioning from male to female. Sources told reporters federal authorities sought to protect that information in part because Twiggs was cooperative with the investigation. Investigators are exploring whether Robinson was motivated in part by his perception of Kirk’s views on transgender people and whether a personal relationship between the two men played a role.
Discord, the messaging platform, issued a public statement saying there was “no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord.” Law enforcement said the Discord messages recovered were among the materials investigators used to locate and arrest Robinson.
The fatal shot occurred as Kirk was debating a student about transgender individuals and mass shootings at Utah Valley University. Investigators recovered four casings at the scene; two were described as unfired. Authorities released text found on casings that included phrases such as “Hey fascist! CATCH!” and a line that read “If you read This, you are GAY Lmao.” Officials said none of the messages on the recovered bullet casings referenced transgender people, and some media reports suggesting one casing mentioned transgender individuals were inaccurate, drawing criticism from activists and observers.
Robinson, who has been arrested and is being held pending prosecution, grew up in a conservative Mormon family in Utah, according to reporting and family members. Some relatives who spoke with media said the family generally supported former President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement. Robinson’s grandmother, Debbie Robinson, told the Daily Mail that most family members were Republican.
At the same time, authorities and family members said Robinson’s views appeared to shift in recent years. Gov. Cox said a family member told investigators that Robinson had recently been told Kirk “was spreading hate and was full of hate,” and that Robinson had expressed antipathy toward Kirk at a family dinner before the shooting. Investigators have said they are pursuing “every connection, every group, every link and anyone tied” to the shooting as they seek to establish motive.
Prosecutors have asked a court to allow an aggravated murder charge that would permit seeking the death penalty. Court filings and the law enforcement affidavit include the Discord messages and other digital evidence as part of the case against Robinson.
Police and federal agents have declined to characterize the shooting beyond the charging documents and public statements, and investigators say they continue to evaluate a wide array of digital and witness evidence. The FBI’s decision to keep the roommate’s gender identity confidential reflects standard investigative practice in cases where a witness or cooperative person might face harassment or jeopardize an ongoing inquiry, law enforcement officials said.
The investigation has drawn intense public attention and debate across political lines, with commentators and activists offering differing interpretations of Robinson’s motives and political leanings. Authorities said they will rely on the evidence developed in the investigation and in court proceedings to determine motive and appropriate charges.
Court proceedings in the case are pending, and prosecutors and defense lawyers have filed motions as required under Utah law. Law enforcement officials urged the public to allow the investigation and legal process to proceed, saying they would provide updates as warranted and when they could do so without compromising the inquiry.