A 22-year-old man has been formally charged with the on-campus murder of a prominent political commentator, with prosecutors revealing a detailed confession allegedly sent to a close associate in the attack’s immediate aftermath.
Tyler Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice in connection with the fatal shooting of 31-year-old activist Charlie Kirk on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty.
According to court documents, Robinson confessed to the killing in a series of text messages with a roommate, with whom he was romantically involved. The exchange began when the roommate discovered a handwritten note instructing them to look under a keyboard. That note read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
When confronted via text, Robinson allegedly confirmed his role, writing, “I am, I’m sorry.” He explained he was waiting near the scene to retrieve a hidden rifle, a weapon later recovered by police from a wooded area.
In the messages, Robinson expressed a clear ideological motive for the attack. “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” he wrote when asked by the roommate why he committed the act. He detailed his planning, stating the operation had been in the works for “a bit over a week,” and described evading an initial police sweep that had detained another individual.
The suspect displayed a calculated awareness of the investigation, mocking inscriptions found on bullets at the scene and urging the roommate to delete their conversation and remain silent if questioned by authorities. “If any police ask you questions, ask for a lawyer and stay silent,” he advised.
Robinson also noted that federal investigators had released a photo of the unique rifle, prompting a request from his father for images of the weapon.
The roommate, while not the initial source of the tip to police, reportedly cooperated fully with investigators once Robinson was in custody.
The suspect was officially charged on September 16 and remains held without bail as the case proceeds.
