One of the most dramatic press conferences in recent times was held in Utah County. District Attorney Jeffrey Gray, opening his 45-minute address, said that the murder of right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk was “an American tragedy.” What followed was a chronology of the crime, full of dark details, text messages, and confessions that shocked the public.
Prosecutor Gray revealed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been planning the murder “for more than a week” after he found out that Kirk would speak at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem. He used a rifle that belonged to his grandfather, and after the crime, hid the weapon wrapped in a towel in a meadow near the university.
Messages that reveal everything
The key evidence in the investigation is the messages Robinson exchanged with his roommate and romantic partner immediately after the shooting. Gray read parts of the correspondence, which gave journalists insight into the motive, planning, and psychological state of the suspect.
The first message after the shooting was short and chilling: “Stop everything you’re doing, look under my keyboard.” The roommate finds a message under the keyboard that says: “I had the chance to eliminate Charlie Kirk and I used it.” After reading the message, Robinson’s partner contacted him: “What? You’re joking, right?” Robinson replies that he is fine, but that he cannot come home because of the police. “It shouldn’t take long for me to come home, but I still have to get the rifle. Honestly, I hoped I would take this secret to the grave. I’m sorry I’m dragging you into this.” Robinson then also explains the motive:
Roommate: “You didn’t really do that, did you?”
Robinson: “I did. I’m sorry.”
Roommate: “I thought they caught someone?”
Robinson: “No, they caught some crazy old man, then questioned a person who had similar clothes. I planned to take the rifle from the place where I left it, but they closed that part of town.”
When asked why he did it, Robinson said that he felt enough hatred and added, “Some things cannot be resolved by negotiations.” “If I manage to take the rifle unnoticed, there will be no evidence. I’ll try again, I hope they left. I haven’t seen anything that would mean they found it.” But the rifle had already been found. Next to it were three bullets with bizarre inscriptions engraved on the casings: “Hey fascist! Catch!,” “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, ciao, ciao!,” “If you’re reading this, you’re GAY hahaha.”
Later messages show that Robinson thought about surrendering: “I will surrender voluntarily. One of my neighbors is a deputy sheriff.” In the end, he asked his partner and roommate: “You’re the only one I worry about, love. Don’t talk to the media, don’t give interviews or statements… If the police question you, ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”
Mother reported her son
One of the key twists in the investigation happened when Robinson’s mother, the day after the murder, saw a photo of the suspect on the news and suspected it was her son. Although he claimed to her that he had been sick at home, doubts remained. After talking to her husband, they decided to notify the police.
According to the prosecutor, the mother said that over the past year her son had become more and more politically engaged, increasingly supported LGBTQ+ rights, and more often entered into conflicts with his father, a passionate supporter of Donald Trump.
Political context and reactions
The murder caused fierce reactions across the political spectrum. Many right-wing commentators, including Donald Trump, called for “revenge and retribution.” However, prosecutor Gray emphasized that the decision on the indictment was made solely on the basis of law and evidence: “I did not make the decision under political pressure. The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy, and this process is being conducted completely independently.”
Robinson appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday, and the next hearing is scheduled for September 29th via the Webex platform. The prosecutor will seek the death penalty, and it is expected that this will be one of the most closely followed trials in the United States (U.S.) this year. “Like every murder, the senseless taking of Charlie Kirk’s life has devastated the lives of his closest ones and those who loved him,” Gray concluded.
