Utah prosecutors say Tyler James Robinson, once a scholarship-winning student, has now become the face of one of the most shocking crimes in recent memory: the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
According to court filings, Robinson’s own mother told police she had seen a dramatic change in him over the past year. He had become “more political,” leaning left, and voicing strong support for “pro-gay and trans rights.” This shift brought frequent clashes with his conservative father, who often argued with him about politics.
She recalled her son calling Kirk’s event at Utah Valley University “stupid” and accusing Kirk of spreading “too much hate.” Prosecutors now say those words were a preview of the crime to come.
On the day of the shooting, Charlie Kirk was answering questions in UVU’s crowded plaza when gunfire erupted from a rooftop nearly 200 yards away. Video and police reports confirm Kirk was fatally struck in front of hundreds, including students and parents. He was just 31 years old and a father of two.
Parents Recognized Him in Surveillance Footage
After the attack, authorities released a surveillance photo of the shooter. Robinson’s parents immediately recognized him. His father later confronted him at home. According to prosecutors, Robinson admitted involvement and said, “I can’t go to jail… there’s too much evil, and Kirk spreads too much hate.”
The Text Messages
Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray revealed a chain of text messages between Robinson and his partner, who police say was transitioning from male to female. In them, Robinson allegedly confessed, writing: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” He admitted he planned the attack for “a bit over a week,” and detailed how he tried to discard evidence. He urged his partner to delete the messages and stay silent if questioned.
The Arrest & Charges
Robinson eventually surrendered after his father’s intervention. Prosecutors have charged him with aggravated murder, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. They are seeking the death penalty.
Investigators also tied him to a violent crime committed in front of a child, further compounding the severity of the charges.
Who Was Robinson Before the Shooting?
Robinson graduated from Pine View High School in 2021 and briefly attended Utah State University as a pre-engineering major. Later, he enrolled in Dixie Technical College as an electrical apprentice. Friends described him as once quiet and disciplined. But prosecutors say his relationship with his transgender roommate, combined with growing political animosity, fueled a radical transformation.
Police eventually located a Mauser .30-06 rifle hidden in the woods near UVU, wrapped in a towel. That weapon is believed to be the murder weapon.
What Comes Next?
As Robinson awaits trial, prosecutors emphasize one thing: this was a deliberate, politically motivated attack. His parents, once hopeful for his future, are now left at the center of a tragedy that shocked the nation.
The case of Tyler Robinson raises haunting questions: How does someone go from a promising student to a rooftop assassin? And how many warning signs did his own family see before it was too late?