A man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk confessed the killing to his roommate, expressed remorse afterwards and admitted he wished he had not carried out the attack, a Utah court has heard.
The testimony emerged during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, 23, who faces aggravated murder and other charges over the fatal shooting of Kirk on 10 September 2025. Prosecutors presented text messages, an investigative interview with Robinson’s former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, and new evidence they say links the defendant to the killing.
“I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before and he said it was. He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn’t done it and then kept going around and just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted or something,” told investigators in a recorded interview played in court.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. The preliminary hearing is intended to determine whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, where he could face the death penalty if convicted.
Prosecutors also revealed previously unseen photographs of what investigators identified as the alleged murder weapon, a bolt-action rifle, along with engraved bullets and cartridges recovered from both the crime scene and Robinson’s residence.
According to investigators, inscriptions found on ammunition included messages reading, “If you read this, you are gay “and “Fascist! Catch!,” while another cartridge recovered from Robinson’s home bore the inscription “Test Shot.”
The court heard that Robinson had earlier asked Twiggs for an engraving tool, explaining that he wanted to engrave bullets for a family camping and hunting trip.
Investigators allege Robinson fatally shot 31-year-old Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA and ally of President Donald Trump, once in the neck as he addressed supporters at Utah Valley University. Kirk later died in hospital.
Twiggs told investigators Robinson occasionally discussed politics during their commutes but said their conversations largely focused on President Donald Trump and legislative issues rather than Charlie Kirk personally. “But, according to the recording, the roommate did not share the same interests and didn’t ‘really contribute much’ to such conversations.”
The prosecution also presented text messages exchanged after the shooting, in which Robinson allegedly instructed Twiggs to retrieve a handwritten note hidden beneath a keyboard.
In the note, Robinson wrote. “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.
I wish we could have lived in a world where this was not necessary. He ended the letter by writing, “Please try and find joy in this life. I love you always, Tyler.”
According to prosecutors, Twiggs immediately questioned whether Robinson had actually carried out the shooting. “You weren’t the one who did it, right?” Twiggs asked in a text shown to the court. “I am, Robinson allegedly replied. “I’m sorry.”
When asked why he had carried out the attack, Robinson responded. “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Court documents also showed Robinson allegedly described efforts to avoid leaving evidence by retrieving his rifle after hiding it in nearby bushes.
“If I’m able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence,” one text message presented in court stated.
According to prosecutors, Robinson later complained that crickets were making too much noise while he waited near the scene and expressed concern that police dogs might locate the firearm before he could recover it.
Twiggs, who has been granted immunity in exchange for cooperating with investigators, told prosecutors Robinson later returned home, admitted the shooting in person and said he intended to surrender to authorities.
The court also heard testimony from investigators that Robinson arrived voluntarily at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on 11 September, accompanied by his parents and a family friend, where he was taken into custody.
Earlier this week, prosecutors presented FBI forensic evidence alleging that DNA belonging to Robinson and Twiggs was recovered from a rifle, screwdriver and towel found near the crime scene. Defence lawyers challenged the forensic evidence extensively, questioning testing procedures, interpretation and margins of error.
Members of both Kirk’s and Robinson’s families attended the hearings throughout the week. Kirk’s widow, Erika, his parents, Kathryn and Robert Kirk, and Donald Trump Jr. were present in court, while Robinson’s mother reportedly became emotional as some of her son’s text messages were read aloud.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
