In the hours after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot dead in Utah, the man now accused of his murder appeared to treat the situation as a joke. Tyler Robinson, 22, wrote in a Discord group that his “doppelganger” was the person in FBI surveillance images and was trying to get him in trouble. His tone was lighthearted even as friends teased that he was the gunman being sought across the US, the New York Times reported.
Discord conversations raise questions
The chat logs, shared by an acquaintance with The New York Times, paint a picture of Robinson joking about the most serious crime imaginable. When another user mentioned a $100,000 FBI reward, Robinson quipped that he should receive a cut if anyone turned him in. He also mocked recent high-profile arrests by referencing the McDonald’s location where a New York murder suspect had been caught, furthering the impression he was following events closely.
Arrest followed family pressure
Investigators believe Robinson climbed onto a rooftop about 400 feet from the site of Kirk’s debate with students at Utah Valley University and fired a single fatal shot. After fleeing the scene, he returned to his home in southern Utah, hours away. According to police affidavits, Robinson made statements suggesting his involvement and was convinced by a family member and family friend to turn himself in. He surrendered quietly to police late the following night.
Messages revealed by acquaintances
The private group chat contained roughly 20 people, most of whom knew Robinson from school. One member provided screenshots of Robinson’s comments, which The Times verified. Discord declined to confirm the suspect’s account, but the username aligned with his known online presence. In the messages, Robinson mocked news reports about ammunition found at the scene and claimed details about supposed “transgender ideology” engravings were being exaggerated by the media.
Political and personal background
Robinson’s past offers few straightforward clues about motive. Though registered to vote, records show he never cast a ballot and was not affiliated with any political party. Friends and classmates described him as intelligent but socially isolated, spending long stretches online or gaming. Both of his parents are Republicans, and investigators noted he had recently discussed Kirk with a family member, saying why they disliked the conservative figure. Still, police have not identified a clear ideological motive.
Following the media narrative
Robinson’s Discord comments showed a keen interest in how the story was being covered in real time. He commented on early, unconfirmed claims about the rifle ammunition and pointed out that the FBI itself had not released photos or official statements. Minutes later, he joked about faking his death like Kirk supposedly had, writing that he was leaving politics behind to live in Kansas. His words hinted at a mix of irony, denial, and fascination with media narratives.
Community shock and disbelief
After Robinson’s arrest, members of the chat struggled to reconcile the suspect’s casual jokes with the serious allegations he faced. Some wrote they could not tell if the news was genuine. Others expressed disbelief at reports that Utah’s governor was considering the death penalty. This reaction underscored how disconnected Robinson’s online persona seemed from the severity of the accusations, leaving even those who knew him unsure of his state of mind.
Political fallout and next steps
Kirk’s killing has intensified partisan debates across the country, with commentators on both sides attempting to interpret the motive and meaning of the attack. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges against Robinson this week. For now, his defence status remains unclear, as it has not been confirmed whether he has obtained legal representation. The case is likely to remain in the spotlight, both for its political implications and for the unusual window into the suspect’s online behaviour.
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