Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, resided with a transgender partner, The Epoch Times confirmed.
A senior FBI source familiar with the matter corroborated earlier reporting on the individual from Fox News.
The individual, who is transitioning from male to female, is cooperating with the FBI in its investigation. The individual has not been named.
Robinson lives in an apartment in St. George, Utah, about three-and-a-half hours south of the Utah Valley University (UVU) campus in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10.
Robinson allegedly fired a shot from a bolt-action rifle at Kirk after the latter responded to a question about transgender shooters. Kirk had just told Hunter Kozak, a UVU undergraduate, that there had been “too many” such shooters.
After being shot in the neck, Kirk, 31, was rushed to a nearby regional hospital, where he was soon pronounced dead.
Bullet casings from the rifle allegedly fired by Robinson were engraved with messages, according to authorities. A fired casing read, “Notices bulges OwO what’s this?” The meme is used in online trolling as well as the online “furries” subculture.
Other rounds discovered include one that was engraved with lyrics from an Italian anti-fascist anthem, “Bella Ciao.” Another read, “hey fascist! catch!” It was also etched with a symbol apparently taken from the video game “Helldivers 2.”
Robinson, 22, is a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George.
Robinson’s family, which lives in nearby Washington, Utah, played a key role in turning him in to authorities, according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
“A family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” he said at a news conference.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X on Sept. 13 that Robinson’s father identified his son in a video released during the manhunt for the suspect.
According to Utah County Sheriff records, Robinson was arrested at 4 a.m. on Sept. 12, two days after Kirk was shot and killed. He was booked about four hours later.
Robinson is being held on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice.
His first court appearance is expected to be at 3 p.m. local time on Sept. 16, after Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray files charges—but that could change.
“Although we will make every effort to meet that schedule, we may need additional time to prepare the charges. By court rule, we may extend the time to file charges by up to three days, or until Friday, September 19,” Gray said in a Sept. 13 statement on the arrest and potential charges.
He added that Robinson’s first court appearance “will coincide with filing the charges.”
This story will be updated with additional details.
If you found this article interesting, please consider supporting traditional journalism
Our first edition was published 25 years ago from a basement in Atlanta. Today, The Epoch Times brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to millions of Americans.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, but our commitment to independent journalism has never wavered. This year marks our 25th year of independent reporting, free from corporate and political influence.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory offer — just $1 per week — so you can join millions already celebrating independent news.
