Utah Governor Spencer Cox has disclosed that the main suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is not cooperating with investigators.
The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody 33 hours after Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Speaking with ABC News, Cox confirmed that Robinson has neither admitted to the crime nor provided information to assist authorities, though people close to him have been working with investigators.
In a series of media interviews on Sunday, the governor also voiced concern about the influence of social media in the aftermath of the attack. His remarks followed a New York Times report alleging that Robinson had posted on the Discord messaging platform shortly after the incident, joking about being the gunman.
“Those conversations happened, but no one believed it was really him,” Cox said. “It was seen as a joke until he admitted it was actually true.”
Robinson, a Utah native, surrendered to police on Thursday night and was booked into Utah County Jail. An affidavit filed by the state shows he faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He is being held without bail.
Kirk, who co-founded
Turning Point USA, was on a nationwide American Comeback Tour that included several college campuses when he was killed.
Authorities say Robinson appeared to be motivated by left-leaning ideology, based on accounts from those familiar with him. Cox added that more details about the motive would be revealed once formal charges are filed.
“We are interviewing everyone who knows him to piece together what drove him,” the governor said.
He further revealed that one of Robinson’s closest associates—his roommate, who is also his partner—has been fully cooperative with investigators. According to Cox, the partner had no knowledge of the shooting beforehand and is currently undergoing a gender transition, though officials have yet to determine if this has any connection to the case.
