Orem, Utah — Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, allegedly confessed to the crime through a series of text messages to his roommate. Investigators say the messages reveal both a detailed confession and Robinson’s mindset following the shooting.
The roommate, a transgender male transitioning to female, reportedly had a romantic relationship with Robinson and provided the text messages to authorities. Below is the full record of the exchange, along with context and explanations from investigators.
The First Confession
Robinson first alerted the roommate with a cryptic message:
- Robinson: “Drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.”
The roommate discovered a note under the keyboard that allegedly read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Shocked, they immediately responded:
- Roommate: “What?????????????? You’re joking, right????”
Robinson admitted the truth in a mixture of apology and explanation:
- Robinson: “I am still ok my love, but am stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”
The roommate pressed for clarity:
- Roommate: “You weren’t the one who did it right????”
- Robinson: “I am, I’m sorry.”
The confusion continued:
- Roommate: “I thought they caught the person?”
- Robinson: “No, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. It’s quiet, almost enough to get out, but there’s one vehicle lingering.”
Motive Explained
When asked why he did it, Robinson said:
- Roommate: “Why?”
- Robinson: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson’s texts indicate he carefully thought about the logistics of retrieving his weapon while avoiding detection.
- Robinson: “If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it.”
- Roommate: “How long have you been planning this?”
- Robinson: “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 wanna chance it.”
Weapon and Evidence Concerns
Robinson expressed concern over forensic evidence:
- Robinson: “I’m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle… I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle… idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me. 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… I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints. How the [expletive] will I explain losing it to my old man… Only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel…”
Robinson also discussed the bullets he had engraved and joked about the unusual messages he’d sent online:
- Robinson: “Remember how I was engraving bullets? The [expletive] messages are mostly a big meme, if I see ‘notices bulge uwu’ on Fox News I might have a stroke alright I’m gonna have to leave it, that really [expletive] sucks… judging from today I’d say grandpa’s gun does just fine idk. I think that was a $2k scope;-;”
Legal and Safety Precautions
He warned the roommate to maintain secrecy:
- Robinson: “Delete this exchange.”
- Robinson: “My dad wants photos of the rifle… he says grandpa wants to know who has what, the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. He’s calling me rn, not answering.”
Robinson also shared political context and his intention to turn himself in:
- Robinson: “Since Trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard MAGA.”
- Robinson: “I’m gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.”
- Robinson: “You are all I worry about love.”
- Roommate: “I’m much more worried about you.”
- Robinson: “Don’t talk to the media please. Don’t take any interviews or make any comments. … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”
Investigation Implications
Authorities say the text messages demonstrate both premeditation and awareness of law enforcement activity in the area. The roommate’s cooperation has helped investigators piece together the timeline of events and the suspect’s motives.
These messages, combined with forensic evidence and witness statements, are central to ongoing investigations into Charlie Kirk’s shooting.
