The Confession: Tyler Robinson Texts to his Trans BF
Here’s a quick post on the latest on Tyler Robinson, the assassin who killed Charlie Kirk.
Today, prosecutors released the charging information against Tyler Robinson. He faces multiple counts, including aggravated murder (which we will summarize further below).
However, before we get to the charges, prosecutors also included texts exchanges between Robinson and his boyfriend, Lance Twiggs. These messages took place on September 10, not long the shooting. Why did Robinson do it? Here’s what he said:
I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it.
The text exchange between Robinson and Twiggs started with Robinson’s message: “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.” Twiggs complied and found a note that said: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Police didn’t find the note – we’re concluding that it was destroyed by Twiggs. But they did find a photograph of the note.
After that, the following text exchange took place.
Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.
Roommate: you weren’t the one who did it right????
Robinson: I am, I’m sorry
Roommate: I thought they caught the person?
Robinson: no, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. Its quiet, almost enough to get out, but theres one vehicle lingering.
Roommate: Why?
Robinson: Why did I do it?
Roommate: Yeah
Robinson: I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it. …
Roommate: How long have you been planning this?
Robinson: a bit over a week I believe. I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it
…
Robinson: I’m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle.
…
I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpas rifle … idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me. I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits. didn’t have the ability or time to bring it with. … I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints. how the fuck will I explain losing it to my old man. …
only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel. …
remember how I was engraving bullets? The fuckin messages are mostly a big meme, if I see “notices bulge uwu” on fox new I might have a stroke alright im gonna have to leave it, that really fucking sucks. … judging from today I’d say grandpas gun does just fine idk. I think that was a $2k scope ;-;
…
Robinson: delete this exchange
Robinson: my dad wants photos of the rifle … he says grandpa wants to know who has what, the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. Hes calling me rn, not answering.
…
Robinson: since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga.
…
Robinson: Im gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.
Robinson: you are all I worry about love
Roommate: I’m much more worried about you
Robinson: don’t talk to the media please. don’t take any interviews or make any comments. … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent
Yesterday, we voiced our suspicion that the transgender boyfriend was lying. This all but confirms those suspicions. Not only does it appear that Twiggs destroyed Robinson’s confession (the written note), but he feigned shock when questioned by investigators about Robinson’s involvement. Did Twiggs immediately hand over these messages to authorities? They were produced to police by Twiggs but the date of that production is, at this time, unknown.
At a minimum, Twiggs refused to turn Robinson in. Or place an anonymous call to local authorities or the FBI. He sat on this knowledge with the hope that Robinson would get away. And he did so because he agreed with the killing and wanted to protect the killer. The right thing, in his eyes, was to make sure the killer – his boyfriend – got away.
One can’t help but wonder whether these texts are legitimate or whether they’re some type of cover. Probably legitimate but it’s not unreasonable to suggest that Robinson wanted to protect his “love” and that It’s fair to ask what Twiggs really knew. After all, according to these records, Robinson was engraving the bullets in their apartment and “police found several targets with bullet holes in Robinson’s home.”
It’s too early to say that Twiggs won’t face charges himself.
The criminal information also includes interviews with Robinson’s mom and father. By September 11, the mom thought the shooter looked like her son. The father agreed. Robinson told them he had been sick at home that day.
The father noted that the rifle “matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift.” He asked Robinson to send him a picture of the rifle and Robinson didn’t respond. They finally spoke on the phone, where Robinson “implied that he planned to take his own life.” His parents were able to persuade him to come home, where “Robinson implied he was the shooter” and explained “there is too much evil” and Kirk “spreads too much hate.” A family friend came to the home and convinced Robinson to turn himself in.
Most notably, Robinson’s mother explained that Robinson had become more political and more left-leaning over the past year – “becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” He was dating “a biological male who was transitioning genders”, which caused “discussions” between the family and Robinson. And in one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned Kirk would be speaking at UVU and accused Kirk of “spreading hate.”
Overall, Robinson faces 7 counts:
Count 1: Aggravated Murder pertains to Robinson’s shooting and killing of Charlie Kirk in a manner that exposed others, in addition to Mr. Kirk, to a great risk of death.
Count 2 Felony Discharge of a Firearm pertains to Robinson’s shooting toward Mr. Kirk, knowing that doing so would endanger those in the bullet’s path. The shot caused serious bodily injury to Mr. Kirk, ultimately resulting in his death.
Count 3: Obstructing Justice pertains to Robinson’s removal and hiding of the rifle he used to shoot Mr. Kirk.
Count 4: Obstructing Justice pertains to Robinson’s removal and hiding of the clothing he wore when he shot Mr. Kirk.
Count 5: Witness Tampering pertains to Robinson’s statement to his roommate telling his roommate to delete their text exchange that followed the shooting.
Count 6: Witness Tampering pertains to Robinson’s statement to his roommate telling the roommate, “if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.”
Count 7: Violence Offense Committed in the Presence of a Child pertains to Robinson’s shooting of Mr. Kirk in the presence of children under the age of 14 who were visible at the event.
Prosecutors are reportedly seeking the death penalty.