Court documents unsealed by prosecutors show that the man accused of shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk sent a series of text messages to his roommate after the attack, directing the roommate to a confession hidden under a keyboard and describing plans to retrieve a rifle.
Prosecutors said the roommate — identified in filings as a transgender male transitioning to female who was in a romantic relationship with the defendant — provided investigators with the full record of messages. The roommate told investigators the defendant, identified by authorities as Tyler Robinson, earlier instructed him to “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.” When the roommate did, he said, a note allegedly read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.”
The messages, exchanged on the day of the shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem last Wednesday, were quoted in charging documents and interview summaries filed with the court. In one exchange, Robinson wrote: “I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still.” The alleged gunman told the roommate he had hoped to keep his plan secret “till I died of old age” and apologized for involving the roommate.
When the roommate asked whether Robinson was the shooter, the suspect allegedly replied, “I am, I'm sorry.” Robinson also allegedly described police activity at several locations, writing that officers “grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing.” He described plans to circle back to a drop point for the rifle, worried that a squad car parked nearby had swept the area and that he might have to abandon the weapon.
Several messages included admissions and details prosecutors say are material to their case. Robinson allegedly wrote that he had “enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out,” a statement prosecutors cited as evidence of motive. He discussed concerns about prints and serial numbers, writing that he had left the rifle “wrapped in a towel” and mentioning engraving bullets. He also said his father had been “pretty diehard maga” since former President Trump took office.
At one point, the alleged shooter urged the roommate to erase the exchange, sending a message that read, “delete this exchange.” Later messages quoted in court filings said Robinson intended to surrender, writing, “Im gonna turn myself in willingly,” and advised the roommate not to speak to the media and to request a lawyer if questioned by police.
Investigators have said the shooting prompted confusion on the ground, including the temporary detention of at least one other person. Police also said that a man falsely claimed to have shot Kirk in an apparent attempt to distract from the actual gunman, and that multiple leads were being examined in the immediate aftermath.
Robinson is in custody, and prosecutors say the messages and the note under the keyboard were turned over to investigators by the roommate as part of the ongoing inquiry. Court filings describe the text record as a near-real-time account of the suspect's movements, thoughts and plans on the day of the attack.
The shooting has attracted nationwide attention because of Kirk's prominence as a conservative commentator, drawing reactions across the political spectrum and placing the incident at the center of broader debates about political violence, campus safety and media coverage. Local law enforcement and federal authorities have continued to investigate, and prosecutors said additional evidence recovered during searches and interviews is being reviewed as the case proceeds.
No formal trial date has been set. Prosecutors and defense lawyers have exchanged filings in recent days, and courts must determine charges and next steps as the investigation continues.