Utah prosecutors have presented evidence suggesting that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing far-right activist Charlie Kirk, was motivated by what he described as Kirk’s “hatred”. In text messages cited during a court hearing on Tuesday, Robinson allegedly told his partner that “some hate can’t be negotiated out” in reference to Kirk.
Kirk was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) shortly after stating that “too many” transgender individuals had committed mass shootings in the US. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that only about 0.1% of such shootings over the past decade were carried out by trans people.
Prosecutors said Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had become “more political and had started to lean more to the left – becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented” in the year before the killing. His parents, registered Republicans who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, reportedly had political disagreements with their son, who described his father as “pretty diehard maga”.
According to prosecutors, Robinson’s mother said her son had called Kirk’s UVU event a “stupid venue” and accused Kirk of “spreading hate”. After the shooting, Robinson’s parents identified him from a surveillance image, and his father, a licensed hunter, feared the rifle used matched one he had given his son as a gift.
Robinson surrendered to authorities the day after the killing, with help from a family friend who was a local law enforcement official. DNA evidence on the discarded rifle and text messages to his roommate further tied him to the crime, prosecutors said. In one text, Robinson allegedly wrote, “I am, I’m sorry,” when asked if he was responsible.
Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and intend to seek the death penalty if convicted. He remains in custody without bond. The bullet casings found at the scene bore inscriptions including “hey fascist” and “O bella ciao”, but Robinson reportedly dismissed these as “mostly a big meme” in texts.
