Prosecutors presented evidence against 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is charged with assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk outside a "Prove Me Wrong" event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025.
During Robinson's preliminary hearing, Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Brian Davis read portions of a text exchange between Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs, in which Robinson allegedly admitted to the crime and apologized for his actions.
According to Davis, Robinson sent Twiggs a message shortly after the shooting that read, "Stop what you're doing. Look under the keyboard." Robinson then wrote, "I'm still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but gotta grab my rifle," and later added, "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
Twiggs allegedly replied, "You weren't the one who did it, right?" to which Robinson responded, "I am. I'm sorry." Robinson also told Twiggs that he had been planning the shooting for over a week and that he had left the rifle behind because he worried about leaving fingerprints.
Davis testified that Robinson later instructed Twiggs to delete the exchange and also texted that he would turn himself in willingly, citing a neighbor who is a deputy for the sheriff. The final message Davis read from the exchange stated, "If any police ask you questions, ask for a lawyer and stay silent."
Robinson's alleged motivations for the shooting and the extent of his planning remain unclear, but the text exchange suggests a level of premeditation and a desire to avoid leaving evidence behind.
The case against Robinson continues, with prosecutors presenting more evidence against him in the coming days.
