Suspect Tyler Robinson has been uncooperative with investigators, forcing authorities to determine the motive for the assassination attempt through his family and friends.
“The suspect has not confessed and is not cooperating, but everyone associated with him is cooperating. I think that’s very important,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on September 14 when updating the progress of the investigation into the assassination attempt on conservative activist Charlie Kirk by suspect Tyler Robinson.
Governor Cox confirmed that Robinson had contacted several people on the Discord platform after the shooting, claiming to be the suspect, though no one believed him.
He noted that the suspect’s roommate, who is transitioning from male to female and was in a romantic relationship with Robinson, is “actively cooperating with investigators.” When asked if the roommate’s gender was relevant to the investigation, Cox said that authorities are trying to determine this.
“Shell casings have been collected, other forensic evidence is forthcoming, and we are trying to piece it all together,” the Utah Governor stated.
According to Cox, Robinson was born into a devout family and grew up in a highly conservative area of the state, but his ideology was “very different from his family’s.”
When asked if investigators had found evidence that Robinson had been “indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” Governor Cox responded that such information came from his relatives and acquaintances. The Washington County election office in Utah stated that Robinson was registered to vote in the state but did not support any political party and had never participated in an election.
According to investigative records, Robinson was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, shooting causing serious injury, and obstruction of justice. He has no prior criminal record.
On September 12, Governor Cox stated that Utah would impose severe punishment on the individual who attempted to assassinate Kirk. “We will seek the death penalty. I am working with the prosecutor to ensure that,” Cox said.
