The man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is refusing to cooperate with investigators, Utah’s governor said Sunday.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Friday after a 33-hour manhunt following the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University.
Authorities said Robinson admitted to his father, Matt Robinson, that he shot Kirk.
Matt, a construction company owner and former officer, then contacted authorities.
He helped secure his son before police arrived.
Governor’s Statement
Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson has not confessed to police.
“He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating,” Cox told ABC News.
GOV. COX: “[Tyler Robinson] has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating … We can confirm that his roommate was indeed a boyfriend, who is transitioning from male to female.” pic.twitter.com/XcSf9G8Ehi
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) September 14, 2025
Cox said friends and family have provided investigators with critical evidence.
Cox said investigators are still reviewing a note Robinson left.
He warned that charging documents will reveal more detail.
Trump’s Response
President Donald Trump said many leftist agitators are “already under major investigation.”
.@POTUS: “They’re already under major investigation, a lot of the people that you would traditionally say are on the Left.” pic.twitter.com/mV18aN2Ng1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 14, 2025
He blamed radical rhetoric from the left for fueling hatred that led to Kirk’s murder.
“The problem is on the left,” Trump told reporters.
Transgender Partner
Robinson had been living with a transgender partner, Lance Twiggs.
Twiggs, who is cooperating with investigators, was reportedly shocked by the arrest.
“I had no idea,” Twiggs told agents, according to Axios.
Internet Radicalization
Cox said Robinson’s ideology was “very different” from his conservative family.
He pointed to radical influences from gaming culture and online forums.
“You saw that on the casings… the memeification happening in our society,” Cox noted.
Authorities said Robinson’s ammunition was etched with political slogans.
Phrases included “Hey fascist! CATCH!” and lyrics from an anti-fascist Italian song.
Another casing included a sexually explicit meme.
Messages retrieved from Twiggs’ phone included discussions of hiding a rifle.
The FBI confirmed Robinson mentioned wrapping a rifle in a towel.
The weapon was later recovered in bushes near the shooting site.
Robinson is being held in a special housing unit at Utah County Jail.
He was placed on suicide watch after threatening to kill himself rather than surrender.
Formal charges, including aggravated murder, are expected Tuesday.
