Utah Governor Spencer Cox says the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing is “not co-operating” with authorities and has yet to confess to the shooting.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested roughly 33 hours after Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during a public event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Kirk, 31, was speaking at an open-air gathering hosted by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization he co-founded. The event was part of his American Comeback Tour, which took him to college campuses across the country.
Governor Cox, speaking on Sunday morning news shows, said investigators are still working to determine a motive. While Robinson remains silent, Cox noted that people close to him are cooperating.
Among those assisting authorities is Robinson’s roommate, who is also his partner. Cox said the partner is currently “transitioning from male to female” but added that investigators don’t yet know if that detail is relevant to the case.
“The partner didn’t have any knowledge about the alleged shooting,” Cox said.
“They’ve been incredibly co-operative and are working with investigators right now.”
Earlier, Cox told the Wall Street Journal that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.” When asked about that claim on CNN’s State of the Union, he said the information came from Robinson’s friends and family.
The New York Times reported that Robinson may have joked about the shooting on Discord, a messaging platform. In one message, he allegedly wrote that his “doppelganger” was trying to “get me in trouble.”
Cox confirmed the conversations took place.
“It was all joking until… he admitted that it actually was him,” the governor told ABC News.
Robinson surrendered to police on Thursday night. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He is currently being held without bail at Utah County Jail.
“We’re interviewing all kinds of people and trying to learn more about what the motive actually was,” Cox said.
Following Kirk’s death, Cox has called for unity and urged Americans to reflect on the state of political discourse. He has also criticized social media, calling it a “cancer” and saying the U.S. needs to “get phones out of the classrooms.”
He described the shooting as a “direct assault on America” and added, “Americans need to look in the mirror and decide, are we going to try to make it better, or are we going to make it worse?”
On Saturday, Kirk’s widow Erika gave an emotional address, thanking first responders and vowing that her husband’s voice “will remain.”
A memorial service is scheduled for September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where Kirk lived with Erika and their two children.
Kirk was one of the most prominent right-wing activists in the U.S. and a close ally of President Donald Trump. Through Turning Point USA, he championed conservative values on liberal-leaning campuses and mobilized youth support for Republican candidates.
He was a vocal supporter of gun rights, opposed abortion, and criticized LGBTQ+ rights. He also promoted false claims about Covid-19, drawing sharp criticism from liberal groups.
Supporters saw him as a relatable figure who spoke to their concerns. Critics, however, accused him of spreading divisive rhetoric, particularly toward minority communities.
