Tyler Robinson’s alleged turn toward homicidal violence remains a mystery as people who lived near him reveal he was a churchgoer from a Mormon family.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah—Authorities are zeroing in on how 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson became radicalized to the point of allegedly assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
Robinson’s mother told investigators that her son had turned more political over the past year or so, leaning more to the left and “becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray said on Sept. 16 when announcing charges against the 22-year-old.
After the suspect began to date his roommate, a male who identifies as a transgender female, Gray said it resulted in discussions with family members, including his father, who holds “very different political views.”
In a conversation with his mother before the shooting, Robinson noted that Kirk would be holding an event at Utah Valley University, which he described as a “stupid venue” and accused the conservative commentator of “spreading hate,” according to Gray.
Messages engraved on bullet casings from the alleged weapon used in the killing contained anti-fascist viewpoints and apparent references to internet memes from the “furries” subculture and video games.
Asked whether Kirk’s alleged assassin acted alone, President Donald Trump told news reporters that he didn’t know but that he believed that online contacts influenced him.
“It looks like he was radicalized over the internet,” the president said on Sept. 15.
Authorities allege Robinson drove about 250 miles from his normal locales to Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, ascended a rooftop, then fired at Kirk as he spoke with college students about current issues. Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, died shortly thereafter. Robinson surrendered late on Sept. 11 and has since remained in jail.
He was charged on Sept. 16 with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two obstruction of justice counts, two counts of witness tampering, and one count of violent offense committed in the presence of a child.
The state is pursuing the death penalty, according to Gray.
Authorities said Robinson does not yet have an attorney, and his next court appearance is set for Sept. 29.
By Janice Hisle
