A preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, featured a bombshell video of a police interview with Robinson's former roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs. The video, recorded in April 2026 by Utah police, details Twiggs' account of Robinson's alleged confession and subsequent attempts to dispose of the murder weapon.
Twiggs, 23, met Robinson in 2023, and they began dating approximately two months later. On the morning of September 10, 2025, the day Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, Robinson claimed he had a long work shift. Twiggs stated he did not hear from Robinson until 11 p.m. that night, when Robinson instructed him to check under his keyboard for a handwritten note.
According to court filings, the note read, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it." Twiggs recalled Robinson returning home the following morning, pacing, and avoiding questions about the assassination. Twiggs claimed Robinson eventually admitted to the killing, cried, and stated he wished he had not done it, adding that he was considering going to his parents or turning himself in.
Prosecutors allege Robinson left Twiggs the confession note and sent texts discussing plans to hide the murder weapon. Twiggs, who was granted limited immunity, cooperated with investigators and provided DNA samples. Authorities stated that both Twiggs' and Robinson's DNA were found on a towel wrapped around the rifle used in the assassination. Twiggs also provided text messages in which Robinson allegedly expressed a belief that Kirk "spread too much hate."
Twiggs told police he had little interest in politics and that he and Robinson had not previously discussed Charlie Kirk. He noted that Robinson would occasionally rant about Donald Trump and Republicans, but their discussions on LGBTQ+ rights were limited to presidential legislation. When questioned about engravings found on bullets at the crime scene, Twiggs recalled Robinson mentioning a hunting trip and requesting an engraving tool. Robinson had spoken about the hunting trip for months and, about a month before the assassination, began discussing engraving bullets. Investigators claim bullet casings found with the weapon were engraved with political messages, including one reading, "Hey fascist! Catch!"
After the video statement was played, prosecutors presented text messages allegedly exchanged between Robinson and Twiggs post-assassination. In these texts, Robinson reportedly told Twiggs to look under his keyboard. Twiggs responded with disbelief, asking if Robinson was joking and if he was responsible. Robinson allegedly replied, "I am, I'm sorry," and explained his plan to retrieve his rifle from a drop point, but noted that the area had been locked down. He also allegedly wrote about his attempts to dispose of the rifle, stating, "If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence."
Robinson allegedly told Twiggs he had been planning the shooting for "a bit over a week." The note found under the keyboard, which Twiggs confirmed finding, referred to him by his chosen name, "Luna." The note read, "I am likely dead, or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it... I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary."
Robinson's defense team attempted to block the playing of Twiggs' recorded statement, preferring he testify in person for cross-examination. However, Utah District Judge Tony Graf allowed the video, though 15 minutes were redacted. Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, through her lawyer, criticized the redactions for a lack of transparency.
Twiggs, who has not been charged in connection with the assassination, went into hiding for five months after the incident before being located in Texas. He grew up in St. George, Utah, in a strict Mormon family and was reportedly estranged from them at age 18 due to disagreements over religion, drugs, and gaming, though he later appeared to reconcile. Friends described him as a talented pianist and academically gifted, with dreams of becoming a professional video game player.