Alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk's mother reports unexpected transformation in past year, emphasizing support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old pre-engineering major, is the prime suspect in the tragic assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two. The shooting took place at Utah Valley University (UVU), and Robinson is now charged with aggravated murder, along with multiple related offenses.
Robinson briefly attended Utah State University (USU) for one semester in 2021, but there are no specific details available about his profession or occupational field before his arrest. His parents, who had heated arguments over their competing ideologies, reported that he had become more political and leaned left, supporting pro-gay and trans rights.
Investigators are looking into whether Robinson had any potential accomplices. Before the assassination attempt, Robinson made threats against Kirk to acquaintances, but the statements are still being investigated. Robinson dismissed Kirk's UVU event as a 'stupid' venue and claimed Kirk 'spreads too much hate.'
Authorities recovered a Mauser .30-06 rifle wrapped in a towel near UVU. Robinson's father recognized him from surveillance video after the shooting. Robinson faces two counts of obstruction of justice for concealing the rifle and discarding clothing, and two counts of witness tampering for urging his roommate to delete texts and stay silent.
It is unclear what Robinson did for a living and the details of his apparent radicalization. The FBI is investigating leftist groups for possible ties to Charlie Kirk's assassination. At the time of the murder, Robinson was living with a romantic partner undergoing a transition from male to female.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that it appears Robinson's ideology had infected him and taken over, and he was intent on making Kirk his target. The investigation continues, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
