Simply hours earlier than Tyler Robinson was arrested for allegedly killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the 22-year-old appeared to take duty for the capturing in a message to associates on the chat platform Discord, an organization spokesperson confirmed to CBS Information on Monday.
“Hey guys, I’ve dangerous information for you all,” learn a message from an account that allegedly belonged to Robinson, in response to the spokesperson and a legislation enforcement supply. “It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.”
The messages had been first reported by The Washington Put up.
The messages got here towards the tip of an almost two-day-long manhunt after Kirk was fatally shot throughout an out of doors occasion at Utah Valley College on Wednesday. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated Robinson confessed to his father. Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday evening, FBI Director Kash Patel stated Friday.
Over the previous day, Patel ordered the discharge of half a dozen surveillance images of the suspected shooter and requested the general public for assist fixing the case, which drew nationwide consideration and sparked new worries concerning the specter of political violence.
Whereas the FBI appeared for leads, in response to two legislation enforcement sources, Robinson and his associates bantered concerning the capturing in a greater than 20-person group on Discord. The platform is fashionable amongst players. The Discord spokesperson stated an inner investigation by the corporate discovered “no proof that the suspect deliberate this incident or promoted violence on Discord.”
No less than three associates requested Robinson if he was the shooter, saying the images launched by the FBI appeared like him, the legislation enforcement sources stated. He didn’t appear to refute it.
In a single alternate, the sources stated a good friend appeared to tease Robinson by quipping that he ought to keep away from McDonald’s — the place accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione was caught with a manifesto, a rifle and a pretend ID late final 12 months.
“No matter you do do not go to a mcdonalds anytime quickly,” the good friend wrote, in response to the legislation enforcement sources.
The account showing to belong to Robinson responded: “Higher additionally eliminate this manifesto and precise copy rifle I’ve mendacity round.”
Earlier than the arrest, messages from the account belonging to Robinson appeared to counsel he deliberate to show himself in to authorities, the Discord spokesperson confirmed.
One message learn, “im surrendering by means of a sheriff good friend in just a few moments, thanks for all the great instances and laughs, you have all been so superb, thanks all for every part.”
Robinson was later taken into custody on aggravated homicide, obstruction and firearm costs. Cox says the state will search the loss of life penalty. Robinson might make his first court docket look Tuesday afternoon, after officers file formal costs, Christopher Ballard, chief of employees for the Utah County Legal professional’s Workplace, has stated.
Regulation enforcement sources instructed CBS Information that he was arrested after Robinson’s father noticed the FBI’s photos and confronted his son. Robinson admitted to being the particular person within the images, however when his father inspired him to show himself in, Robinson stated he would slightly die by suicide, the sources stated. His father then known as a youth pastor to assist calm Robinson down — however the pastor, a court docket safety officer, additionally known as the U.S. Marshals Service.
