Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Feared Being Shot By Police, Says Sheriff
Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, was afraid of being shot by police and eventually agreed to surrender only if it was done peacefully, a sheriff involved with taking him into custody said Wednesday.
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The suspect was in a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate, according to investigators
Tyler Robinson, the Utah man charged with assassinating Charlie Kirk, expressed fear of being shot by police and would only surrender under peaceful conditions, according to Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby who spoke on Wednesday.
When Robinson arrived with his parents to surrender himself last Thursday at the Washington County Sheriff's office—one day after Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University—he appeared quiet and somber, Brooksby noted.
"He expressed concern about a SWAT team showing up at his parents' residence or his apartment," said the sheriff, who was involved only in the surrender process, not the broader investigation. "He genuinely feared being shot by law enforcement officers."
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged the 22-year-old Robinson with capital murder and announced intentions to pursue the death penalty, revealing incriminating text messages and DNA evidence they claim links Robinson to Kirk's killing. Kirk was a prominent conservative activist and close associate of President Donald Trump.
During his first hearing on Tuesday, a judge stated he would assign an attorney to represent Robinson. The county's public defender office had not responded to messages as of Wednesday.
Robinson's family has declined to provide any comments to The Associated Press since his arrest.
The September 10 shooting shocked the nation, exposed political divisions, and devastated the Utah Valley campus. On Wednesday, as students returned for their first day of classes since the incident, they gathered silently, staring at the cordoned-off courtyard where Kirk was shot while addressing students.
Care stations featuring stuffed animals, candy, and counseling resources were positioned throughout campus.
Matthew Caldwell, 24, observed that his fellow students were more subdued and seemed genuinely engaged in class despite lingering sadness.
"Our words and how we treat each other can ultimately lead to tragedies like this," he remarked. "I think everyone understands that a bit more clearly now."
In the shooting's aftermath, the Republican president has threatened to crack down on what he terms the "radical left" and designate certain groups as domestic terrorists. Former Democratic President Barack Obama recently stated that Trump has further divided the country rather than working to unify people.
ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following his comments about Kirk's killing.
The House Oversight Committee on Wednesday summoned the chief executives of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit to testify regarding platform regulation to prevent violence.
"Congress must oversee online platforms that radicals use to advance political violence," stated GOP Rep. James Comer, the committee chair, signaling a shift for congressional Republicans who previously focused on scrutinizing platforms for restricting free speech.
The shooting occurred more than three hours' drive from Robinson's hometown near St. George.
Sheriff Brooksby of Washington County expressed shock when a retired detective and friend of the Robinson family contacted him saying he knew the shooter's identity and they were attempting to persuade him to surrender voluntarily.
"I was completely stunned by what he told me," Brooksby said.
The sheriff was informed that Robinson was potentially suicidal and in a remote area of southwestern Utah. An hour later, Robinson arrived at the sheriff's office where plainclothes detectives greeted him.
"He recognized his eventual capture was inevitable," said the sheriff. "If we can achieve a peaceful surrender, I'm willing to make certain concessions to facilitate that."
Investigators report that after firing the fatal shot, Robinson texted his romantic partner instructing them to look under a keyboard for a note.
"I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it," the note stated according to court documents.
After expressing shock, his partner, who shared living quarters with Robinson, asked if he was the shooter. Robinson replied, "I am, I'm sorry."
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray confirmed that DNA on the rifle's trigger matched Robinson's.
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether others knew about or assisted with Robinson's plans, though they haven't specified if his partner is under investigation, only expressing gratitude for the partner sharing information.
The partner apparently never contacted authorities after receiving the texts. Robinson remained fugitive for over a day until his parents recognized him in a photo released by authorities.
Campus security on the day of the attack is also being scrutinized. Utah Valley University is conducting a review, President Astrid S. Tuminez announced Wednesday.
While authorities haven't identified a clear motive, Gray revealed that Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was recognized for energizing the Republican youth movement and supporting Trump's 2024 White House victory. His organization, Arizona-based Turning Point USA, engaged young evangelical Christians in politics through social media, his podcast, and campus events.
Court documents indicate Robinson wrote that he planned the attack for over a week, though authorities haven't elaborated on what they believe this entailed.
Gray declined to specify whether Robinson targeted Kirk for his anti-transgender views. Kirk was shot while responding to a question about mass shootings and transgender individuals.
Robinson was involved in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who investigators identify as transgender.
Robinson's mother told investigators her son had shifted politically leftward over the past year and became more supportive of gay and transgender rights, according to Gray.
She recognized him when authorities released the suspect's image, and his parents confronted him, at which point Robinson expressed suicidal thoughts, Gray stated.
In text messages to his partner released by authorities, Robinson mentioned planning to retrieve his rifle from a "drop point" but found the area "locked down."
The texts, which Robinson later instructed his partner to delete, lacked timestamps, making it unclear how long after the shooting Robinson sent these messages.
"To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you," Robinson wrote.