Investigation into Charlie Kirk Shooting Unfolds

Utah Governor Spencer Cox spoke with family members who relayed information to investigators about 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting of Charlie Kirk. According to reports, Robinson’s attitudes had turned more political, with family describing him as viewing Kirk as “full of hate and spreading hatred,” the Wall Street Journal noted.

Robinson allegedly fired a single shot from a bolt-action rifle that struck Kirk in the neck while he was addressing an audience at Utah Valley University. Police later found ammunition that had phrases like “Hey, fascist! Catch!” engraved on it, along with a casing inscribed with lyrics from “Bella Ciao,” the Italian anti-fascist anthem that has gained traction on TikTok.

Cox informed reporters that Robinson’s relatives mentioned a recent family gathering where discussions centered around their dislike for Kirk and his viewpoints.

The governor elaborated that it’s apparent to law enforcement that Robinson has been significantly influenced by leftist ideology.

This shift in perspective has startled Robinson’s own family. His uncle, Clinton Robinson, expressed disbelief after recognizing his nephew in surveillance images, saying, “I don’t know why he did this,” in a message to a reporter.

Raised in a Republican household in Washington, Utah, Robinson was an accomplished student, boasting a 4.0 GPA and winning a notable $32,000 scholarship to Utah State University. However, he withdrew after just one semester. Authorities indicated that Robinson had spent considerable time online, and his mother remarked that he had a penchant for dressing up as a “meme guy” for Halloween at age 15.

Robinson’s father played a role in his arrest in Washington County. Additionally, former President Trump stated on Friday that, if found guilty, he wants prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for Robinson.