Inside the Messages That Unraveled the Charlie Kirk Killing
In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University, investigators have uncovered a trail of incriminating text messages from suspect Tyler Robinson to his partner, shedding light on the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Authorities revealed that Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in the slaying, sent a flurry of messages shortly after the incident last week, confessing his actions and attempting to cover his tracks. According to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray, one message captured Robinson’s apparent frustration: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” This exchange, first reported by news agency AP, emerged as a key piece in the ongoing probe.
The texts, released by officials, detail Robinson’s efforts to retrieve a hidden rifle he referenced multiple times. In one, he wrote: “I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. Its quiet, almost enough to get out, but theres one vehicle lingering.” Another followed: “Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it.” He later added: “I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it.”
Gray noted that Robinson had ditched the weapon, which he urged his partner to help hide. In a stark admission, Robinson texted: “To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret until I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.” Prior to the shooting, he left a handwritten note under a keyboard for his partner, stating: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Robinson faces additional charges, including felony discharge of a firearm and witness tampering, after directing his partner to erase the messages. Forensic evidence further links him to the crime: DNA on the rifle’s trigger matches Robinson’s profile.
The attack unfolded during Kirk’s speech at a Turning Point USA event on campus. Midway through responding to a query about transgender mass shooters, a single gunshot struck him. Kirk fell onstage, was transported to a nearby hospital, and succumbed to his injuries.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed post-arrest that Robinson’s partner and roommate identifies as transgender. While the precise motive remains under investigation, no direct connection has been confirmed to Kirk’s vocal opposition to transgender issues.
As probes deepen, these revelations underscore the personal turmoil behind a public tragedy, with authorities piecing together the sequence that led to one of the most shocking political assassinations in recent memory.