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Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Tyler Robinson Refusing To Cooperate With Authorities, Governor Says
Mugshots of shooting suspect Tyler Robinson with disheveled hair, related to Charlie Kirk case and authoritiesu2019 investigation.

Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Tyler Robinson Refusing To Cooperate With Authorities, Governor Says

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The suspect in the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is refusing to cooperate with authorities, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has said.

Tyler Robinson, 22, wasarrested last week after a family member recognized a photo of him and convinced him to hand himself over to law enforcement.

In an interview on Sunday, Cox told Martha Raddatz on ABC News’ This Week that Robinson has not confessed to the murder and is not cooperating.

Highlights
  • Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's shooting, refuses to cooperate or confess, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed.
  • Robinson allegedly drove three hours, climbed on a roof, and shot Kirk with a scoped bolt-action rifle.
  • Robinson joked on Discord about the shooting before admitting his involvement, per Cox's statements.
RELATED:

    Spencer Cox said Tyler Robinson is not cooperating with authorities

    Governor speaking in formal setting, addressing Tyler Robinson refusing to cooperate in Charlie Kirk shooting investigation.

    Image credits: ABC News

    “He has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think that’s very important,” Cox said.

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    Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck and killed on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

    Robinson is alleged to have driven three hours to the campus, climbed on top of a roof and used a Mauser model 98 bolt-action rifle with a scope mounted on it to fire a single shot at Kirk.

    Cox was asked on This Week about his previous comment that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”

    “Well, so far that — that has come from his acquaintance and his family members. That’s where that initial information has come from,” he told Raddatz.

    Mugshot of Tyler Robinson, suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting, shown from front and side against a measuring backdrop.

    Image credits: Handout

    “Certainly, there will be much more information that is released in the charging documents as they’re bringing all of that together.”

    Authorities have confirmed that Robinson’s partner was transitioning from male to female but do not know if this is relevant to the investigation.

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    There is still no determined motive for Kirk’s murder.

    The New York Times reported that Robinson had allegedly made jokes about being the shooter after Kirk’s assassination on Discord.

    Robinson reportedly wrote that his “doppleganger” was “trying to get him in trouble” after a friend suggested he looked like the suspect in released FBI photos.

    Charlie Kirk speaking at an outdoor event with a microphone, surrounded by a crowd and cameras filming.

    Image credits: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images

    All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely were happening, and they did not believe it was actually him. It was, it was all joking until, until he, you know, until he admitted that it actually was him, Cox said.

    Charges against Robinson are expected to be filed on Tuesday, September 16, and further information will be available then.

    In recent days, Cox has called out politically motivated violence and urged people on both sides of the political spectrum to choose kindness over hate.

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    Cox urged people to denounce politically motivated violence

    Following Kirk’s murder, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered flags to be lowered at half-staff and posthumously awarded him the Medal of Freedom.

    The response was in stark contrast to how he reacted when Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered earlier this year.

    When asked about Trump blaming the radical left for Kirk’s assassination and not commenting on violence against Democrats, Cox said the president was very angry.

    Man speaking at podium with Trump Vance sign, addressing issues related to Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson.

    Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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    “Well, look, President Trump is very angry, and Charlie is his close personal friend,” Cox said. “There is a lot of anger, a lot of anger on the right, on my side of the aisle. And I’ve certainly felt that.

    “And in this case, it does appear that that’s true. Again, more, more information is coming and we’ll learn more over time.”

    “You know, I don’t know that that matters as much as the radicalization piece. I brought up the Democrats who were assassinated recently. And how quickly we move on from these things,” he added.

    “But, the body count is, is piling up. And so I’m so concerned about this radicalization piece. And that’s what we’re trying to understand. Again, this person made a choice, and it was this person’s choice. And this person will be held responsible.”

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    Kaitlin Easton

    Kaitlin Easton

    Author, News Reporter

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    Kaitlin is a Current Affairs Journalist at Bored Panda. She is based in Scotland and has previously worked for ABC News Australia, the Daily Record and the Press and Journal. In her spare time you can find her enjoying a good book and keeping active.

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    Kaitlin Easton

    Kaitlin Easton

    Author, News Reporter

    Kaitlin is a Current Affairs Journalist at Bored Panda. She is based in Scotland and has previously worked for ABC News Australia, the Daily Record and the Press and Journal. In her spare time you can find her enjoying a good book and keeping active.

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