Prosecutors have read out a series of messages sent between Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with the aggravated murder of Charlie Kirk, and his roommate.
At a press conference today (16 September), it was announced that 22-year-old Robinson had been charged with aggravated murder, which carries the possibility of a death sentence, and six other charges.
These are two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, felony discharge of a firearm and commission of a violent offence in the presence of a child.
One of the counts of witness tampering includes Robinson allegedly telling his roommate, who he was in a romantic relationship with, to 'delete' text messages between them in which the 22-year-old appeared to claim responsibility for killing Kirk.
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Utah County Attorney Jeff Grey read out the text exchange, saying that Robinson's roommate provided the messages to the authorities.
On 10 September, the day Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, Robinson allegedly sent his roommate the message: “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.”
The roommate found a note saying 'I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it', they then texted: “What? You’re joking, right?”
What follows is the remainder of the alleged text conversation between the two.
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Robinson: “I am still OK my love but am stuck in [unintelligible] 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 until I died of old age, I am sorry to involve you.”
Roommate: “You weren’t the one who did it, right?”
Robinson: “I am, I am. I’m sorry.”
Roommate: “I thought they caught the person.”
Robinson: “No they grabbed some crazy old dude then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I 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.”
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The suspected shooter's roommate them asked him why he shot Kirk, and the 22-year-old allegedly described his inability to go back and retrieve the rifle where he had stashed it.
Roommate: “Why?”
Robinson: “Why did I do it?”
Roommate: “Yeah.”
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Robinson: “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. 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 want to chance it.”
Robinson: “I’m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got back to my vehicle. I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle. IDEK if it’s 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 F will I explain losing it to my old man?
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“The only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel. Remember how I was engraving bullets.
“The f**ing messages are mostly a big meme. If I see ‘notice bulge uwu’ on Fox News I might have a stroke alright I’m gonna have to leave it. That really f**ing sucks. Judging from today I’d say grandpa’s gun does just fine IDK. I think that was a 2k dollar scope wink wink.”
The suspected shooter allegedly told his roommate to 'delete this exchange' and said he was going to turn himself in, before urging his roommate not to speak to the media.
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: “Since Trump got into office my dad has been pretty die-hard MAGA.”
Robinson: “I’m gonna turn myself in willingly. One of my neighbours is a deputy for the sheriff.”
Robinson: “You are all I’m worried 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.”
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, US News
Joe Harker