Tyler Robinson allegedly confessed to assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk in a series of text messages sent to his transgender partner just hours after the shooting, prosecutors said.
Charlie Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his ‘American Comeback Tour’ when he was struck in the neck by a single rifle shot.
According to court filings, the 22-year-old admitted to planning the killing for a week and even left behind a handwritten note that revealed his intentions.
The suspect appeared virtually for his first court hearing since he was formally charged on seven counts today. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty, citing text messages and a handwritten note in which he appeared to confess to the crime.
CONFESSION IN TEXTS TO ROOMMATE
Less than three hours after Kirk was fatally shot, Robinson messaged his live-in partner, Lance Twiggs, directing them to check under his computer keyboard.
Twiggs, described by investigators as a male transitioning to female, found a note that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
At first, Twiggs texted back asking whether the note was some kind of twisted prank. Robinson allegedly replied, “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. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”
When Twiggs pressed him directly, Robinson replied, “I am. I’m sorry.”
ROBINSON PANICKED ABOUT LOSING FAMILY RIFLE
Robinson allegedly told Twiggs he used his grandfather’s scoped .30-06 hunting rifle and hid it in nearby bushes after the attack, changing clothes to deceive the police.
“I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle how the f*** will I explain losing it to my old man,” Robinson wrote in one of the exchanges cited in the indictment.
Robinson never managed to retrieve the weapon because police had already secured the area.
Prosecutors say Twiggs has not been charged and is fully cooperating with investigators. One of Robinson’s final messages before surrendering read: “(Y)ou are all I worry about love.”
The suspect was arrested on Thursday night, about 33 hours after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed.
US President Donald Trump has publicly supported calls for Robinson to face the death penalty and has pledged to attend Kirk’s funeral.
Top administration officials have threatened to go after left-wing organizations in the wake of the assassination, which Trump blamed almost immediately on the “radical left.”
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With inputs from agencies