Right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was gunned down on Sept. 10, and after a 33-hour manhunt, Tyler Robinson was taken into custody. According to reports, he allegedly confessed to the murder after his parents and a youth pastor convinced him to turn himself in. Now that he’s in police custody, alleged texts from Robinson has been released to the public, and they’re bone chilling.
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Here’s 10 things Robinson is accused of doing both before and after Kirk’s death you probably didn’t know.
The Family Dinner
Robinson, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox and court documents, reportedly brought up during a family dinner how Kirk was coming to town in the near future, per The Washington Post. A family member said they “talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” TIME reported. The conversation stood out enough that the family shared the conversation to authorities after Kirk’s death, recalling how Robinson had become “more political” in recent years.
Engraving Bullets
In alleged text messages to his roommate Lance Twiggs, whom authorities have called “incredibly cooperative,” Robinson recalled how he was “engraving bullets” that were “mostly a big meme.” Authorities found one spent casing and three unfired cartridges, which included the messages graved on the side: “”Hey fascist! CATCH!,” the lyrics to the Italian anti-fascist song “Bella Ciao,” and, “If you read this you are gay LMAO.”
Robinson, who reportedly had a wild fascination with the gaming world and the internet, wrote in an alleged text to Twiggs: “if i see “notices bulge uwu” on fox new I might have a stroke.”
“How Long Have You Been Planning This?”
“A bit over a week I believe,” Robinson allegedly answered in a text to Twiggs, according to Governor Cox, who was Robinson’s trans live-in lover who had been “transitioning from male to female.” Governor Cox said Twiggs “had no idea that this was happening and is working with investigators right now.”
“Drop What You Are Doing…”
In text messages obtained by the New York Post, Robinson, 22, reportedly texted Twiggs to “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard” about three hours after Kirk was shot. What was found under his keyboard was a note that allegedly read, per NBC News: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
“What?????????????? You’re joking, right????” Twiggs replied. “To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age,” Robinson allegedly penned. “I am sorry to involve you.”
Who First Recognized Him?
After the FBI released photos of a person of interest, Robinson’s father reportedly recognized him and confronted him to ask: “Tyler, is this you? This looks like you.” He encouraged his son to surrender before Robinson allegedly said he “would rather kill myself than turn myself in.” Robinson’s father then phoned a youth pastor, who is also a family friend and works for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshal’s Service, who convinced him to turn himself in. He did so on the night of Sept. 11.
The Smoking Gun
The gun used to kill Kirk, a Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle with a “$2K scope,” reportedly belonged to Robinson’s grandfather. In alleged texts to Twiggs, Robinson allegedly wrote how it was “wrapped in a towel” and was left in a bush. The suspect also expressed his worry about abandoning the rifle, writing in an alleged text: “how the f*** will I explain losing it to my old man?”
Robinson Allegedly Tried to Retrieve the Gun
In alleged texts, Robinson described how he meant to double back and retrieve it, but the cops had the area locked down. “Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still,” he allegedly wrote to Twiggs. “I didn’t bring back my rifle … idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me,” he allegedly continued, in part. “I worry about prints.”
Ignored Calls
Before allegedly texting Twiggs to “delete this exchange,” he allegedly described how “my dad wants photos of the rifle.” After “the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique,” Robinson allegedly wrote how he was dodging his father’s calls. “Hes calling me rn, not answering,” he allegedly added.
The Alleged Confession
When Twiggs asked Robinson outright via text if he was the one who killed Kirk, Robinson allegedly answered: “I am. I’m sorry.”
Robinson’s Alleged Motive
Based on court documents and alleged texts, he reportedly said he shot Kirk, a husband and father of two, because he “had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
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Tyler Robinson is being held without bail in a special housing unit at the Utah County Jail. He appeared remotely during his first court appearance on Tuesday (Sept. 16). He has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime when children are present. Govenor Cox says he will seek the death penalty.
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