WASHINGTON – Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Sunday that investigators are not ready to discuss the motivations of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was assassinated. But he said the 22-year-old suspect left with dumped political beliefs and did not like conservative influencers.
“It’s obviously a leftist ideology,” Cox told NBC’s “Meeting Media.” On CNN’s “union status,” he said, “this information comes from people around him, his family and friends.”
Cox said Robinson was “not cooperative” and that friend drew a photo of an aggressive person in the dark corner of the internet. “Obviously, there are a lot of games in progress,” Cox said on NBC. “Friends have confirmed that there is a deep dark internet, a red culture and other dark places on the internet that this person is deep into.”
The governor called on all guerrilla Republicans to lower their rhetoric after the attack, adding: “I really don’t have dogs in this battle. If this is a radical Maga person, I would say too.”
Cox stressed in several news shows on Sunday morning that investigators are still trying to fix the attacks on both fathers and Trump’s confidant, who were killed Wednesday during a signature college speech at the University of Utah River Valley. The governor said more information may appear once the suspect Tyler Robinson appears in court on Tuesday.
The suspect’s partner was transgender, and some politicians pointed out signs of Robinson’s anti-trading view aimed at Kirk, the governor said. But authorities did not say whether it would make sense when investigating Robinson’s motives.
“The roommate is a romantic partner, a transition from male to female,” Cox said. “I can say he’s been very cooperative and this partner is very cooperative and didn’t know this is happening.”
Investigators have spoken with Robinson’s relatives and conducted a search warrant at his family’s home in Washington, which took place about 240 miles (390 kilometers) in southwestern Utah (390 kilometers).
National records show Robinson has registered to vote but has no affiliation with a party and is listed as non-activity, meaning he has not voted in the last two general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
The ammunition found in the weapon used to kill Kirk is engraved with sarcasm, anti-fascist and meme cultural messages. Court records show that a bullet shell has a message: “Hey, fascism! Catch it!”
Robinson grew up around St. George in the southwest corner of Utah, between Las Vegas and natural landmarks including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Church spokesman Doug Andersen said Robinson became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormon Church when he was young.
According to social media posts, Robinson has two younger brothers and his parents have been married for about 25 years. Robinson’s online event reflects an active family that travels to Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska.
Like many in that part of Utah, they often spend time outdoors – boating, fishing, riding ATVs, zipping rebounds and target shooting. A 2017 post showed a family visiting a military facility and taking photos with an assault rifle. As he held the handle of the .50 caliber heavy machine gun, a young Robinson was seen smiling.
A high school honors list student who received the 99th percentile through standardized tests nationwide was admitted in 2021 for a prestigious academic scholarship, read a video of him reading his acceptance letter, which was posted on the social media accounts of family members.
According to the university, he only participated for one semester. Currently, he is enrolled in a third-year student at Dixie Technology College in St. George.
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Ricardi reports on Denver.
