Tyler Robinson’s Alleged Messages Surface as Friends Recall His Reaction to FBI Hunt for Charlie Kirk’s Killer
The investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has taken another dramatic turn, as newly surfaced accounts suggest the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, exchanged chillingly flippant messages with friends during the FBI’s nationwide manhunt.
Kirk, a prominent political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 while addressing students at Utah Valley University. The single bullet struck him in the neck during what authorities later described as a “targeted attack.”
Within hours, federal investigators launched an extensive search for the suspect, releasing surveillance images that showed a slim, young man wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, moving through a stairwell near the rooftop where shots were believed to have been fired.
By September 12, the FBI confirmed that Robinson, a Utah native, had been taken into custody. His arrest followed a tip-off reportedly facilitated by a family member, though Robinson’s grandmother has publicly maintained that authorities “have the wrong man.”
Alleged Messages: Jokes About a “Look-Alike”
According to reporting from the New York Times, Robinson is said to have mocked the FBI’s search images in private online exchanges with friends. In a group chat on the messaging platform Discord, participants allegedly noted that the man in the surveillance photographs bore a striking resemblance to Robinson.
Rather than deny it outright, Robinson reportedly joked that the suspect must be his “doppelganger” or look-alike.
A friend even tagged him directly in the group chat alongside the images, writing “wya” (slang for where you at?) with a skull emoji. Robinson allegedly brushed off the post, replying that it was someone trying to “get me in trouble.”
These comments, while seemingly flippant, have taken on chilling significance in hindsight, given that Robinson now stands accused of being the shooter.
Dark Humor and Disturbing References
Other participants in the group chat, which reportedly included around 20 members, appear to have made morbid jokes about Robinson’s alleged involvement.
“Tyler killed Charlie!!!” one user typed, according to transcripts shared with the media.
Another suggested they could profit by turning Robinson in for the FBI’s $100,000 reward. The alleged shooter’s response was equally disturbing: “Only if I get a cut.”
Robinson even joked that he had a “manifesto” and an “exact copy rifle” lying around, comments that investigators are now reviewing as part of their probe.
In another message, he dismissed speculation about the shooter’s origins, claiming the real suspect was “clearly from California.”
Perhaps most unsettling, Robinson is alleged to have written: “I’m actually Charlie Kirk, wanted to get outta politics so I faked my death, now I can live out my dream life in Kansas.”
Contradicting Accounts and Discord’s Response
While the leaked messages have drawn widespread attention, questions remain about their authenticity and context. Discord, the platform where the exchanges reportedly took place, has issued a statement denying any evidence that Robinson used its service to plan or promote violence.
“In the course of our investigation, we identified a Discord account associated with the suspect,” the company stated. “But we have found no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord.”
The spokesperson further added that many of the messages cited in media coverage “do not appear to be Discord messages”, but rather second-hand accounts relayed by Robinson’s roommate to a friend after the shooting.
This distinction raises uncertainty about whether Robinson himself typed all of the alleged comments, or if some were paraphrased or misattributed.
A Suspect Handed In by His Own Family
Robinson’s arrest unfolded just over 48 hours after the shooting. Authorities revealed that it was a family member who first raised concerns, reaching out to a friend who then contacted law enforcement.
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah publicly confirmed the timeline during a press conference, thanking Robinson’s family for doing “the right thing.”
“The information provided suggested that Robinson had confessed or implied responsibility for the incident,” Cox explained.
Federal investigators soon corroborated the tip with video evidence showing Robinson arriving at the Utah Valley University campus in a gray Dodge Challenger on the morning of the shooting.
The Grandmother’s Defense
Despite mounting evidence, Robinson’s grandmother, Debbie Robinson, has been outspoken in her belief that her grandson is innocent.
Speaking to reporters, she described him as a “quiet, studious young man” who never expressed political views and had no history of violence.
“He doesn’t hunt, he doesn’t own guns, he’s never even liked anything like that,” she said. “There’s just no way he could have been that good of a shot. I would cross my heart and promise that.”
Her comments highlight a stark divide within the family and underscore the human tragedy rippling out from Kirk’s assassination.
A Political and Cultural Flashpoint
The murder of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves far beyond Utah. As a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, Kirk was a divisive but influential figure in American conservative politics.
Trump himself confirmed Robinson’s arrest during remarks last week, calling the FBI’s rapid progress “amazing” and praising investigators for their work.
The assassination has already become a flashpoint in the broader debate over political violence in America, with leaders across the spectrum condemning the act and urging unity.
Conclusion
The alleged messages attributed to Tyler Robinson paint a troubling picture of a young man either mocking or taunting investigators while under suspicion for a nationally significant crime.
Whether these messages were genuine confessions disguised as jokes, or simply attempts at dark humor that have now taken on new meaning, remains a matter for investigators and the courts.
What is clear, however, is that Charlie Kirk’s assassination has shaken the nation, ignited urgent conversations about safety in political discourse, and left both supporters and critics of Kirk grappling with the reality of violence in the public square.
As the case moves forward, the credibility of these alleged communications will likely play a critical role in shaping the narrative — and possibly the outcome — of the trial.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.