Authorities in Utah say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson confessed to his live-in partner, Lance Twiggs, after shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during a Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Robinson and Twiggs shared a residence in southwestern Utah, and Twiggs has not faced charges; prosecutors say he is fully cooperative with detectives. Investigators say Robinson told Twiggs he had been planning the attack for about a week.
In text exchanges in the hours after the shooting, investigators say Robinson referred to engraving bullets, and officers recovered unspent rounds inscribed with anti-fascist and pro-trans ideologies found at the home. Prosecutors say Twiggs expressed shock and asked why he had acted; Robinson replied that he had had enough of Kirk's hatred and that some hate cannot be negotiated out.
Authorities say DNA found on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk matched Robinson, and a note found under a keyboard read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Investigators also cited text messages in which Robinson instructed Twiggs to delete the exchange and to stay silent if questioned by police.
The case has prompted investigators to review whether others knew about the plan or helped in any way, though Twiggs is not accused of wrongdoing. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has said the motive is a question for a jury to resolve as the case proceeds.
Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and ally of President Trump, was shot while taking a question from students about mass shootings, gun violence and transgender people.
Robinson’s mother told investigators that her son had shifted politically in the past year, becoming more supportive of gay and transgender rights. Police say his parents saw a release photo and alerted authorities, and a family friend who is a retired sheriff’s deputy helped persuade Robinson to surrender.