"I asked if what he texted the previous evening was true, and Tyler confirmed it was," Lance Twiggs, Tyler Robinson's roommate, told investigators in video testimony shown in a Utah state court on 9/7. "He began to cry and wished he hadn't done it."
The hearing was held to determine if there was sufficient evidence to bring Robinson, 23, to trial on charges related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk while he was speaking at Utah Valley University, Utah, on 10/9/2025.
Robinson, who grew up in a Republican family, could face the death penalty if convicted.
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Suspect Tyler Robinson after his arrest in September 2025. Photo: Utah Governor's Office |
Kirk, 31, was the co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and a key ally of President Donald Trump. The assassination sent shockwaves across the United States and sparked considerable debate within right-wing political circles.
According to investigators, hours after the act, Robinson texted Twiggs, admitting he had shot and killed Kirk. In the message, Robinson stated he was fed up with the "hateful messages" Kirk spread.
Twiggs stated that Robinson returned to their home in St. George, Utah, the morning after the assassination.
The relationship between Robinson and Twiggs also garnered significant attention in the United States. Twiggs, who is transitioning from male to female, was not only Robinson's roommate but also romantically involved with him.
On social media, many speculated that this relationship could be the motive for Charlie Kirk's assassination, as Kirk was a Christian nationalist and frequently criticized the LGBT community and transgender individuals.
In testimony to investigators, Twiggs stated that Robinson sometimes spoke about politics.
"He often talked about what he heard on the radio on his way to work. I never heard him specifically mention Charlie Kirk," Twiggs recalled.
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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk speaking at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in October 2024. Photo: AFP |
According to Twiggs, they "hardly discussed" the situation of transgender people and the LGBT community in the United States.
The two met in 2023. They were initially just roommates and began a romantic relationship about 2-3 months after Robinson moved in. To date, Robinson has not shown any indication of pleading guilty or denying the charges.
By Huyen Le (AFP, Reuters)
