FBI Provides New Details on Suspected Charlie Kirk Assassin Tyler Robinson
The investigation into the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk continues to unfold, with new details emerging from law enforcement about the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a student Q&A session at Utah Valley University on September 10. The assassination, carried out in front of thousands of students and faculty, sent shockwaves across the nation.
On Friday, September 12, Utah Governor Spencer Cox held a press conference revealing chilling messages allegedly connected to Robinson.
Discord Messages Reveal Disturbing Planning
According to Cox, Robinson’s roommate provided investigators with Discord messages that appeared to detail the suspect’s preparation for the attack.
The messages included:
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Instructions about retrieving and hiding a rifle.
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Notes about wrapping the weapon in a towel and stashing it in a bush.
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Mentions of engraving bullets and adding a scope.
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Remarks about changing outfits after the shooting.
Cox also noted that the roommate recalled Robinson making a “joke” about the gun and bullets prior to the attack.
Law enforcement later recovered a Mauser Model 98, .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope, wrapped in a towel and hidden in a tree-lined area near the Utah Valley University campus.
Discord Pushes Back
While the governor described the Discord messages as critical evidence, the company itself later disputed those claims.
In a statement to Newsweek, a Discord spokesperson clarified that:
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Robinson did have an account, but no direct evidence was found of him planning violence on the platform.
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The messages described by Cox were not Discord posts but instead communications between the roommate and a friend, allegedly recounting a note Robinson had left elsewhere.
The company added:
“We strongly condemn violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement.”
Arrest of Tyler Robinson
Robinson was arrested Thursday evening after a nationwide manhunt that included tips from the public and family members.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Fox & Friends that Robinson’s own father recognized him in FBI-released photos and helped identify him.
“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody,” Trump said.
“I hope he’s gonna be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did.”
Profile of the Suspect
Officials described Robinson as someone who “blended in well with the college institution” but who had become “more political in recent years,” according to both his roommate and family members.
Court records show Robinson has no prior criminal history, either misdemeanor or felony.
Newsweek identified his mother as Amber Jones Robinson, a University of Utah graduate and social worker. On social media, she previously shared family moments with her son, including a 2021 trip to Utah State University where they ate Aggie ice cream.
Robinson is currently being held without bail at Utah County Jail. He faces charges including:
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Aggravated murder (eligible for the death penalty in Utah)
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Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury
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Obstruction of justice
Political Fallout
The assassination of Kirk, a staunch ally of Trump and the head of a conservative student movement with more than 850 campus chapters, has intensified partisan debates about political violence in America.
Republicans argue that hostile rhetoric from Democrats and progressive activists has created an environment where violent acts against conservative leaders are being normalized.
Democrats, meanwhile, insist Trump’s rhetoric and rallies have long fueled aggression and a culture of confrontation.
Regardless of political spin, the assassination has laid bare the growing threat of political violence in the U.S.
What Comes Next
Investigators continue to comb through Robinson’s home, devices, and communications to determine his motive and whether he acted entirely alone.
Governor Cox has said that while Robinson is believed to have acted independently, officials are not ruling out the possibility of additional connections.
Memorial services for Charlie Kirk have not yet been announced. He is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two young children.
As the case unfolds, the tragedy has become both a national flashpoint and a deeply personal loss for those who knew Kirk as a husband, father, and mentor.
