Suspect confesses to Utah activist murder in court testimony
Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old suspect accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last September, expressed remorse in a video testimony played in court on Thursday, according to his former roommate Lance Twiggs. The emotional admission came during a preliminary hearing in Salt Lake City, where prosecutors presented text messages and surveillance footage as key evidence against Robinson, who faces the death penalty if convicted.
In the video statement, Twiggs recounted how Robinson confessed to the murder shortly after the shooting. "He started to cry a little and said he regretted doing it," Twiggs told investigators . The suspect allegedly told Twiggs, "I had the chance to take out Charlie Kirk and I took it. I wish we lived in a world where this wasn’t necessary." Robinson’s relationship with Twiggs, who is transgender and with whom he was romantically involved, has drawn media scrutiny, with speculation that personal dynamics may have influenced the killing. Kirk, a prominent Christian nationalist known for his opposition to LGBT+ rights, was shot in the neck during an outdoor debate at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Prosecutors also revealed that Robinson had planned the assassination for over a week, according to text messages exchanged with Twiggs. In one exchange, Robinson wrote, "I’m going to try to get my rifle back without being seen. If I can do that, there won’t be any evidence." Another message described his attempt to retrieve the weapon from bushes near the crime scene, hindered by police dogs. Surveillance footage presented in court showed Robinson purchasing food at a Chick-fil-A restaurant shortly after the shooting, then returning to the campus in different clothes and a fake limp .
The hearing focused on whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Robinson’s defense has challenged the DNA evidence linking him to the murder weapon, while the prosecution emphasized the suspect’s own admissions. Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and the court has not set a trial date. If convicted of capital murder, he could face the death penalty under Utah law.
The case has drawn national attention, with Kirk’s advocacy group, Turning Point Action, calling for justice. Meanwhile, Robinson’s legal team continues to scrutinize procedural details, including the admissibility of evidence. The emotional weight of the testimony, combined with the stark political divisions surrounding Kirk’s legacy, underscores the high stakes of the proceedings.
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