Charlie Kirk killing in US: Prosecutors reveal attacker’s motive
Photo: Murdered American activist Charlie Kirk (gageskidmore)
Prosecutors in Utah have released evidence pointing to the most likely motive in the killing of activist Charlie Kirk, for which Tyler Robinson is suspected. The motive appears to be Kirk’s criticism of the LGBT community, The Guardian reports.
In messages seized by authorities and presented by prosecutors, Robinson wrote to his roommate that he could no longer tolerate Kirk’s hate.
Law enforcement identified Robinson’s roommate, to whom he sent the messages, as “transitioning genders.”
The messages about “hate” came immediately after Kirk, during a speech at Utah Valley University (UVU), stated that “too many” mass shootings in the US were carried out by transgender individuals.
However, according to the nonpartisan resource Gun Violence Archive, only about 0.1% of such incidents over the past decade involved transgender individuals.
In messages to his friend, Robinson admitted: “I am, I’m sorry.” He also wrote that he wanted to “keep this secret till I died of old age.”
What suspect’s parents say
After Robinson’s arrest, his mother told investigators that over the past year her son had become “more political and had started to lean more to the left - becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented.”
Prosecutors noted that disputes often arose in the family over differing political views, especially between Robinson and his father.
The suspect’s father, according to Robinson, was “pretty diehard maga” - referring to Trump’s make America great again slogan.
Robinson held a negative view of the current US President.
The suspect’s mother also said that her son called Kirk’s event at the University of Utah Valley a “stupid venue for the event” and “accused Kirk of spreading hate.”
Evidence linking Robinson to crime
Robinson’s parents began to suspect him after seeing his photo in the news. The father, a licensed hunter, also recognized a rifle resembling one he had given his son.
In a conversation with his father, Robinson essentially admitted his involvement, saying that “there is too much evil” and the Turning Point USA executive director Kirk “spreads too much hate.”
DNA found on the rifle near the university, as well as messages exchanged with his roommate, further confirmed Robinson’s involvement.
Bullet casings found at the crime scene bore inscriptions reading “hey fascist” and “O bella ciao” - a line from an Italian anti-fascist song made popular by the series La Casa de Papel (Money Heist). Robinson referred to these inscriptions as a “meme” in his messages.
Arrest of suspected killer
Robinson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances.
Prosecutors stated they would seek the death penalty, as the crime was motivated by the victim’s political speech.
However, Robinson refuses to cooperate with investigators and does not admit to committing the crime.
On September 10, during an open debate at the University of Utah Valley, Kirk was shot and killed.
