United States: A chilling disclosure has emerged from court filings surrounding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem last week. Prosecutors allege that Tyler Robinson, 22, confessed through text messages to his roommate on the very day of the shooting, admitting responsibility for the act.
Filed Tuesday by Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray, the charging documents reveal that Robinson’s roommate directly questioned him via text on Wednesday, September 10, only hours after Kirk had been fatally shot.
Before that exchange, Robinson allegedly directed his roommate to check beneath a keyboard in their shared apartment in St. George, southwestern Utah. There, a handwritten note was found, chillingly declaring: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Prosecutors stated that investigators later located a photograph of this note. Whether the original note was destroyed remains unclear.
Robinson continued messaging, explaining he was “stuck in Orem for a little while longer” but intended to retrieve his rifle before returning home. That rifle — a bolt-action weapon thought to be used in the shooting — was later uncovered, concealed in a towel inside a wooded patch near the UVU campus, according to CBS News.
In another exchange, Robinson lamented, “To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age.” When asked directly if he was Kirk’s shooter, Robinson replied bluntly, “I am, I’m sorry.”
His roommate, startled, responded with disbelief, noting media reports that someone else had already been caught. Robinson dismissed this, claiming authorities had detained “some crazy old dude” and later interrogated another man dressed similarly. Records show that one individual was released, while the second, George Zinn, was charged with obstruction after falsely claiming responsibility. Authorities stated there is no evidence linking Zinn to Robinson’s actions.
Pressed further about motive, Robinson’s response was terse yet grim: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Court filings describe Robinson’s growing fixation on retrieving the rifle, which he said had belonged to his grandfather. He fretted about fingerprints left on the weapon, noting he had abandoned it in the bushes after changing clothes during his escape. “I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints,” he allegedly wrote.
When asked how long the plan had been in motion, Robinson confessed it had been prepared for “a bit over a week.” He later urged his roommate to delete their conversation and avoid speaking with reporters, writing that he would “turn himself in willingly.”
Surveillance images released by investigators prompted Robinson’s parents to recognize their son. His father persuaded him to return to the family home in St. George, where — with the aid of a family friend — Robinson surrendered to police on September 12, as reported by CBS News.
Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had been in a relationship with his roommate, who is transitioning from male to female. Authorities confirmed that the roommate is cooperating with the investigation and is not expected to face charges.
Robinson, accused of firing from a campus rooftop before fleeing and sparking a two-day manhunt, appeared virtually in his first court session on Tuesday. He faces aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and an additional charge for committing violence in the presence of a child. Following his appearance, the state formally filed its intention to pursue the death penalty.
Adding to the evidence, a spokesperson for Discord confirmed Robinson appeared to acknowledge responsibility for the killing in posts made on the platform in the days following the attack.