Utah Governor Spencer Cox says the man accused of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is “not co-operating” with investigators and has yet to confess to the shooting.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on Thursday night after surrendering to police, roughly 33 hours after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at an open-air event hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Speaking to ABC News, Cox, a Republican, said people close to Robinson had been cooperating with the investigation. Appearing on multiple U.S. news programs on Sunday, Cox also reiterated concerns about social media’s influence in the wake of the killing.
The governor was asked about a New York Times report alleging Robinson had messaged others on the Discord platform after the shooting, joking about being the gunman.
“All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely were happening, and they did not believe it was actually him,” Cox told ABC News. “It was, it was all joking until, until he, you know, until he admitted that it actually was him.”
Robinson, a Utah native, is being held without bail at Utah County Jail on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, according to a state affidavit.
Cox previously told the Wall Street Journal that Robinson had been “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.” When pressed on that remark on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, he said the information came from the suspect’s friends and family. “There’s so much more that we’re learning and so much that we will learn,” Cox said, adding that when charges are officially filed, “there will be much more evidence and information available then.”
Cox also said Robinson’s roommate, who he described as his partner, has been “incredibly co-operative” and is assisting investigators. The partner had no knowledge of the alleged shooting and is “transitioning from male to female,” he confirmed, while noting that authorities do not yet know if that is relevant to the investigation.
Kirk’s killing has intensified political tensions and sparked widespread reactions from across the U.S. political spectrum. Cox has called the shooting a “direct assault on America” and urged Americans to seek unity. He has also renewed criticism of social media, calling it a “cancer” and arguing that the U.S. must “get phones out of the classrooms” while holding tech platforms accountable.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, delivered an emotional address on Saturday, thanking first responders and vowing that her “husband’s voice will remain.” A memorial service is scheduled for 21 September at the 60,000-seat State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where Kirk lived with his wife and two children.
Kirk, a polarizing figure in U.S. politics and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, co-founded Turning Point USA to promote conservative ideals on college campuses. He was known for his staunch support of gun rights, opposition to abortion, criticism of transgender rights, and for spreading false claims about Covid-19. While beloved by supporters as relatable and outspoken, he drew fierce criticism from liberal groups who viewed his rhetoric as deeply offensive to minorities, including LGBT people and Muslims.
Investigators continue interviewing people connected to Robinson as they try to determine a motive for the shooting. “We’re interviewing all kinds of people—everyone that knows him—and trying to learn more about what the motive actually was,” Cox said.