Reddit posts attributed to the romantic partner of the man arrested in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk show admiration for author Jordan Peterson and include admissions of past transphobia, according to reporting from the Daily Mail and copies of the posts.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting that left Kirk dead after he was shot in the neck at Utah Valley University. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed investigators are probing the roommate of the alleged shooter, Lance Twiggs, who he said is Robinson’s romantic partner, as a possible motive in the attack.
Dozens of posts on Reddit from an account believed to be Twiggs’s — including the username "lancelott3" and variations such as "lancelotte" — were found in forums about transgender issues and other subreddits discussing Peterson. In messages dated around 2020 and 2021, the user praised Peterson for what they described as "personal growth and becoming a better person" and objected to turning Peterson’s subreddit into a political battleground.
"This is the stuff I love seeing on this subreddit. Not political, just pure personal growth attributed to ideas from Jordan," the account wrote in one reply. In another, the user said, "I read 12 Rules [Peterson's most popular book], and joined," adding that members sometimes "use him to leverage their own random ideas."
Separate posts attributed to the same account said the user had once been "extremely openly transphobic" and suggested gender dysphoria can be diagnosed too quickly, particularly in teenagers. "I agree that dysphoria is diagnosed too quickly, especially with teens who simply are struggling with self image issues," one post read, while also saying that decisions about medical transition are a personal choice.
Daily Mail reported the posts after copies of the Reddit content circulated online. Twiggs, who lived with Robinson, has been described by law enforcement sources as cooperative with investigators and reportedly expressed shock when questioned about Robinson’s alleged actions.
Public reaction on conservative media platforms included commentary from commentator Dan Bongino, who said the shooter had been "infected" by an extreme leftist ideology. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a political motive, and investigators have continued to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Prosecutors have not released a formal statement connecting the Reddit posts to the alleged crime.
The posts draw attention because Peterson, a Canadian clinical psychologist and author, has been a polarizing figure for his statements on gender identity, free speech and social issues. He was suspended from Twitter in 2022 after a dispute over the proper name and pronouns of actor Elliot Page, and some of his content has faced restrictions on platforms. In Canada, the College of Psychologists of Ontario required Peterson to undergo remedial training for public comments it said were inconsistent with professional standards; Peterson challenged the order in court, and an Ontario Divisional Court later dismissed his claim.
Peterson has recently signaled plans to relocate to the United States and listed his Toronto home for sale, a move that has been reported in media coverage of the author but has not been tied to the ongoing investigation in Utah.
Investigators have said few details about the alleged motive are confirmed publicly. Robinson is in custody, and local and federal authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the nature of his relationship with Twiggs and any online activity that might bear on the probe. Law enforcement and state officials have urged the public to await official findings as the investigation proceeds.