The alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, appears to have taken responsibility for the shooting on the messaging platform Discord, as confirmed by a company spokesperson.
According to reports, Robinson, aged 22, sent messages in a Discord chat to friends hours before his arrest in connection with the shooting at an event at Utah Valley University. According to the spokesperson, a message from an account believed to belong to him stated, It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.
Robinson, who has not yet been formally charged, is set to appear in court. He has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, with potential penalties including the death sentence.
The Discord messages, which were first reported by the Washington Post, are thought to have been sent towards the end of a manhunt for Kirk's shooter that lasted over a day. Kirk was speaking at an event organized by Turning Point USA, the group he co-founded, when he was shot in the neck.
The incident has triggered outrage and prompted intense political discourse, with accusations directed at each other from Democrats and Republicans surrounding hateful rhetoric. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that Robinson was arrested after confessing to his father about the shooting incident.
Initial investigations revealed that Robinson and his friends discussed the shooting in their group chat. A spokesperson from Discord mentioned that an internal investigation found no evidence suggesting that Robinson planned the attack or promoted violence on their platform.
Robinson reportedly questioned in the chat if he was the shooter but failed to deny it. Messages also indicated he was intending to present himself to law enforcement, stating, im surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments, thanks for all the good times and laughs.
FBI inquiries into Robinson's communications suggest he had previously referenced intentions to target Kirk, though no substantiated links to organized campaigns have emerged. Investigators are analyzing Robinson's social media presence for any indications of advance knowledge or encouragement regarding the shooting.
Charlie Kirk, a dedicated Christian and staunch advocate for conservative values, including gun rights, has been a controversial figure within political discourse in the United States. He maintained a significant presence at college campuses, stirring notable debate among varied ideological perspectives.
