Featured Image Credit: FBI
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, US News, News
Lucy Devine
The messaging app Discord has denied the FBI's claims that the suspect in Charlie Kirk's death used the platform to communicate about the shooting.
On Wednesday (10 September), Kirk was hit by a single shot to the neck during a Utah Valley University (UVU) event.
The 31-year-old right-wing activist was taken to the hospital by his security team, where he was later declared dead.
On Friday (12 September), authorities in Utah announced that they had a suspect in custody, who they believe is responsible for the shooting of Kirk.
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In a press conference held later on Friday, the FBI identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect, as they also disclosed how authorities apprehended Robinson, as well as a possible motive.
During the press conference, authorities explained that they had interviewed Robinson's roommate, who showed them Discord messages between him and a contact named 'Tyler'.
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The messages reportedly discussed the need to retrieve a rifle from a 'drop point' that had been left in a bush and wrapped in a towel. The alleged conversation also discussed the items, which included a 'scope' and described the rifle as 'unique'.
"Investigators identified an individual as the roommate of Robinson. Investigators interviewed that roommate who stated that his roommate made a joke on Discord," said Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
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"He showed several messages and allowed investigators to take photos of the screen. These photos consisted of various messages, including content of messages between the phone contact of Tyler and Robinson's roommate's device.
"The content of these messages included messages affiliated with the contact Tyler, stated the need to retrieve the rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel."
Despite the comments from Cox, Discord has denied that its platform had been involved in planning the incident.
"In the course of our investigation, we identified a Discord account associated with the suspect, but have found no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord," a spokesperson said in a statement.
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"The messages referenced in recent reporting about planning details do not appear to be Discord messages.
"These were communications between the suspect's roommate and a friend after the shooting, where the roommate was recounting the contents of a note the suspect had left elsewhere."
According to CBS News, the spokesperson went on to say that it had removed an account associated with Robinson for violating its 'off-platform behaviour policy'.
They added: "We strongly condemn violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement."
LADbible has reached out to the Utah Governor's Office for comment.