Suspect in Charlie Kirk’s Murder Explains Apparent Motive Behind the Crime

Tyler Robinson, the young man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was formally charged Tuesday with aggravated murder, among other offenses. At a press conference, Jeffrey Gray, the lead prosecutor in the case, announced that he will seek the death penalty for the suspect and revealed new details regarding the apparent motives behind the killing.

Gray stated that when Robinson’s parents asked their son what had led him to commit the crime, the 22-year-old explained that there was “too much evil” in Charlie Kirk and that Kirk “spreads too much hate.” The parents later persuaded him to turn himself in with the help of a family friend, a retired sheriff’s deputy, the prosecutor continued.

Alleged Confessions

During the same press conference, the prosecutor shared details of a conversation between Robinson and his partner, in which the suspect allegedly revealed that he felt compelled to kill the political activist when the opportunity arose. “I’m fed up with his hate. There are hates that cannot be overcome,” Robinson reportedly said, according to Gray.

Earlier, The Washington Post reported—citing its sources—that Robinson had also confessed the crime to his friends in a chat prior to his arrest. “Hi everyone, I have bad news,” read a message from Robinson’s account on the Discord platform. “It was me yesterday at Utah Valley University. I’m so sorry,” the message continued. It was sent Thursday at 7:57 p.m. local time, just two hours before his arrest.

Nevertheless, Utah Governor Spencer Cox previously stated that Robinson had not confessed to authorities nor cooperated with the investigation since his detention.

Charlie Kirk was struck in the neck by a bullet last Wednesday during a question-and-answer session with students at Utah Valley University. The attacker fired from the roof of a nearby building. The FBI confirmed it was a “targeted attack.”

U.S. President Donald Trump described Kirk as a “martyr of truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for fueling political violence.