Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with killing Charlie Kirk, reportedly sent texts to his roommate and partner that seemed like he was admitting to the crime, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said on Tuesday when announcing the charges.
Gray said Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, which could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted. Robinson is scheduled to appear before a judge for the first time on Sept. 16.
According to Gray and an unsealed charging document, Robinson’s roommate — who is transitioning from male to female and was in a romantic relationship with him — got a text from Robinson on Sept. 10, after Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University in Orem. He told the roommate to “look under my keyboard.”
There, the roommate found a note saying, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” according to the charging document.
The roommate asked twice if Robinson was serious. Robinson allegedly confirmed he was and said he was “sorry to involve you” because he planned to keep it a secret until he died.
When asked why he killed the right-wing activist, Robinson reportedly said, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson allegedly started texting the roommate while still in Orem and wanted to retrieve the rifle he used. He couldn’t get it because it was wrapped in a towel and left in the woods, and “most of that side of town got locked down.”
Robinson, who allegedly planned the shooting for “a bit over a week,” seemed worried about not being able to get back the rifle, which was a gift from his family. He reportedly wrote, “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpas rifle. I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits.”
He continued, “How the f— will I explain losing it to my old man.”
Later, Robinson allegedly told the roommate to delete their texts, which is why he faces a witness tampering charge. He also mentioned that his dad — “pretty diehard maga” — was asking for “photos of the rifle” after the FBI released images of the weapon.
Robinson allegedly told the roommate he would turn himself in after his parents recognized him in surveillance images and a family friend, who is a sheriff’s deputy, convinced him to do so.
He reportedly wrote, “[Y]ou are all I worry about love,” and the roommate replied, “I’m much more worried about you.” Robinson then asked the roommate not to talk to the media and to stay silent and hire a lawyer if questioned by police.
The roommate, whose name has not been released, is cooperating fully with authorities.
