Inside The Discord Messages Of Kirk’s Alleged Killer & FBI Backlash
We’re learning more about the 22-year-old arrested Thursday in connection with the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week.
Tyler Robinson reportedly confessed to his father, who then told a family friend — who called the police. But since his arrest, officials say Robinson has refused to cooperate from behind bars.
His roommate — who is also his romantic partner and has been described by officials as transitioning from male to female — is said to be cooperating.
FBI Director Kash Patel also said Monday that a screwdriver and a towel wrapped around the gun used in the shooting contain DNA evidence linking Robinson to the weapon.
A LIFE ONLINE
Much of what investigators are learning about Robinson’s potential motives, mindset, and movements in the days leading up to the shooting comes from his own messages on an online messaging platform, Discord, where he was in a chat with about 20 other people. Discord is a social media site that is very popular among gamers.
After the FBI released grainy surveillance images of the suspected gunman, some in the online group noted it looked like Robinson. He replied that it was his “doppelgänger” trying to get him in trouble.
Another joked that the group should turn him in and collect the FBI’s $100,000 reward. He replied: “Only if I get a cut.”
He also talked about Kirk faking his death and about the ammo having messages on it.
Then, an apparent admission. About two hours before he was taken into custody, The Washington Post reports that he sent a message saying, “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all… It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.”
It’s still unclear what his motive was, but Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said over the weekend that Robinson had grown increasingly political in recent months with a “leftist ideology.” Investigators are looking into whether his transgender partner could have been a possible motivating factor, given that Kirk was outspoken about trans identity—calling it a sign of “mental delusion.” His partner reportedly claims he didn’t know anything about the plot and was shocked that Robinson killed Kirk.
BACKLASH ON THE FBI
The FBI Director is facing scrutiny for his handling of the manhunt. Just hours after Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah university, Patel posted on X that a "subject” was in custody. Two hours later, he clarified that the person had been “released after an interrogation by law enforcement.”
“Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure,” Patel told Fox News Monday. “But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not.”
The move was highly unusual for an FBI director — and comes amid reported internal tensions. Fox News reported Sunday that a source said White House and Department of Justice leadership "have no confidence in Kash.” At the same time, President Trump has praised Patel recently.