Accused Charlie Kirk assassin allegedly confessed in texts, apologized and described motive, agent testifies
PROVO, Utah – Tyler Robinson allegedly admitted to assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in text messages to his roommate after the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting, apologized for his actions and claimed he acted because he "had enough of his hatred," according to testimony Thursday during Robinson's preliminary hearing.
Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Brian Davis read portions of the text exchange in court as prosecutors continued presenting evidence against Robinson, 23, who is charged with assassinating Kirk outside a "Prove Me Wrong" event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Reading from the exchange, Davis testified Robinson sent his roommate, Lance Twiggs, a message shortly after the shooting that read, "Stop what you're doing. Look under the keyboard."
Davis then read another alleged message from Robinson.
"I'm still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but gotta grab my rifle," the message read. "Still, to be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you."
Twiggs allegedly replied, "You weren't the one who did it, right?"
"I am. I'm sorry."
After Twiggs wrote, "I thought they caught the person," Davis read Robinson's alleged response.
"No, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from the drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down," Davis read. "It's quiet, almost enough to get out, but there's one vehicle lingering."
When Twiggs asked why Robinson carried out the shooting, Davis testified Robinson replied: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. If I'm able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again. Hopefully they have moved on."
Robinson added, "I haven't seen anything in the news about them finding it. We'll update you by midnight."
After Twiggs asked how long he had been planning the shooting, Davis read Robinson's response: "A bit over a week. I believe I can get close to it, but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don't want to chance it."
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Davis also read messages in which Robinson allegedly described trying to recover the rifle.
"While they were parked there, if they had found it, I imagine there would be more commotion. Again, I'm sorry for roping you into all of this. You shouldn't have to worry about this."
When Twiggs asked why Robinson left the rifle behind, Davis read his alleged response.
"I worry about prints. I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits, didn't have the ability or time to bring it with."
According to Davis, Robinson later wrote, "I'll bet that K-9 sniffed it out. We replace it? Unlikely. I don't fully know what the gun was because it was old as s--- and Gramps did some modifying."
He also referenced bullets he had engraved before the shooting.
"Remember how I was engraving bullets? The f------ messages are mostly a big meme. If I see notices... on Fox News, I might have a stroke."
The exchange concluded with Robinson allegedly writing, "No, my dad wanted to use a high caliber for the rifle hunt. Judging from today, I say Gramps' gun does just fine."
Davis testified that Robinson then instructed Twiggs: "Delete this exchange."
Davis also testified Robinson later texted, "I'm going to turn myself in willingly. One of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff. We hope to keep things sort of quiet here."
The final message Davis read from the exchange stated: "If any police ask you questions, ask for a lawyer and stay silent. My lawyer should be Doug Terry. I'll see if he can reach out to you and make sure the police follow."