OREM, UTAH — The man arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is “not co-operating” with investigators, according to Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt. In a series of interviews with US media on Sunday, Governor Cox said that while people close to Robinson were cooperating, the suspect himself had not confessed to the crime.
The governor was also questioned about a report from the New York Times that alleged Robinson had joked about the shooting on the Discord messaging platform after it occurred. “All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely were happening, and they did not believe it was actually him,” Cox told ABC News, adding that “it was all joking until he… admitted that it actually was him.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on Wednesday while speaking at an open-air event at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour.
Governor Cox, a Republican, has been vocal about the role of social media in the wake of the tragedy, calling it a “cancer” and urging for phones to be removed from classrooms. He has also confirmed that Robinson’s roommate and partner, who is “transitioning from male to female,” has been cooperating with authorities but had no prior knowledge of the alleged crime.
Robinson has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice and is being held without bail at Utah County Jail. Cox said the motive for the shooting is still being investigated.
On Saturday, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, delivered a tearful address, vowing that her “husband’s voice will remain” and thanking first responders and the White House for their support.
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