Utah and federal investigators probing the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk say the alleged shooter’s online activity included references to the “furry” community, and that the man’s live‑in roommate — a transgender man identified by the governor — posted support for President Joe Biden on social media and has shared messages with authorities.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice in the Aug. 31 killing, according to court records and statements from law enforcement. Authorities said a spent cartridge believed to be from the weapon used at the scene bore an inscription tied to an internet meme common in parts of the furry community.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Sunday that Robinson’s roommate is 22‑year‑old Lance Twiggs, who is transitioning from male to female. Social media posts attributed to Twiggs include a 2022 comment on Reddit that read, “We are riding with Biden on this glorious subreddit,” and other posts referencing gender transition and past involvement with Christianity, officials and media reports said. One post said the author had been targeted by online advertisements for treatment for schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.
Law enforcement sources told reporters that Twiggs has been cooperative with the investigation and shared messages from Robinson with authorities after learning of the killing. A law enforcement official told Axios that Twiggs initially appeared to know a lot about Robinson’s online communications and later provided those records to investigators.
Investigators have described aspects of Robinson’s online presence as a mixture of gamer culture, meme humor and post‑ironic commentary. Media reports said an account on the website FurAffinity.net, a platform used by many who identify with the furry community, included a name matching handles used by Robinson on other gaming and social platforms. The inscription on the spent cartridge read, “Notices, bulges, OwO what’s this?,” a phrase associated with a popular internet meme.
Robinson, who authorities say once grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints but had long since left the faith, was moved to a segregated housing unit in the Utah County detention center, where reports said he was being held under special watch. Court records show he is due to make an initial court appearance Tuesday.
Federal and state investigators are also probing whether anyone in offline or online political groups had knowledge of Robinson’s alleged plans or assisted him before or after the killing, officials said. At least one activist group with a presence in Salt Lake City removed social media posts in the days after the shooting, according to media reports, but authorities have not said the group is under investigation.
The shooting of Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, has drawn national attention and intensified debate over political violence. Public figures across the political spectrum have demanded swift answers; former President Donald Trump and others have called for the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Media accounts quoted law enforcement sources saying Robinson joked on a Discord server that an FBI surveillance photo looked like his “doppelganger.” Authorities have collected a range of digital evidence as they continue to investigate Robinson’s movements and communications prior to the shooting.
Officials have cautioned that allegations tied to online profiles remain under investigation and stressed the importance of verifying digital records. Representatives for Robinson and Twiggs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The office of the Utah County attorney has declined to provide additional details beyond the charges and scheduled court appearance.
The case is unfolding as investigators seek to establish motive and whether any others were involved. Prosecutors will have to present evidence tying Robinson to the shooting beyond the criminal charges filed this week. For now, law enforcement officials have described Twiggs as cooperative and as a person of interest rather than a suspect.
The killing has prompted renewed scrutiny of how extremist or fringe subcultures online intersect with political violence, and prompted calls for increased monitoring of threats to public figures. Authorities said they will continue to review digital communications and social networks as part of a broader investigation that includes federal partners.