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A2 u.s. news
Monday 15 SepteMber 2025
Utah governor says the motive in Kirk shooting is not yet certain

but the suspect was on the left

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and the Reddit culture, and publicans. Robinson grew
JOSH BOAK these other dark places of up around St. George, in
Associated Press the internet where this per- the southwestern corner of
WASHINGTON (AP) — Family son was going deep." Utah between Las Vegas
and friends of the 22-year- He pointed to references and natural landmarks in-
old accused of fatally found engraved on the cluding Bryce Canyon and
shooting conservative activ- ammunition used to kill Kirk, Zion National Parks.
ist Charlie Kirk described his which included anti-fascist He became a member of
politics as veering left in re- and meme-culture lan- The Church of Jesus Christ
cent years as he spent large guage. Court records show of Latter-day Saints, known
amounts of time scrolling that one bullet casing had widely as the Mormon
the "dark corners of the in- the message, "Hey, fascist! church, at a young age,
ternet," Utah Gov. Spencer Catch!" A Republican who church spokesperson Doug
Spencer Cox said Sunday. has called on all partisans to Andersen said.
Investigators were still piec- tone down their rhetoric fol- Online activity by Robinson's
ing together information A vehicle marked with messages written on its windows in lowing the attack, the gov- mother reflects an active
about the suspect, Ty- tribute to Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk and ernor added: "I really don't family that traveled widely.
ler Robinson, and not yet carrying an American flag, drive past at Utah Valley University, have a dog in this fight. If this In one photo, a young Rob-
ready to discuss a potential Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Associated Press was a radicalized MAGA inson can be seen smiling
motive. But Cox noted that person, I'd be saying that as he grips the handles of a
Robinson, who is not coop- online. "There clearly was son's relatives and acquain- as well." .50-caliber heavy machine
erating with law enforce- a leftist ideology," Cox said tances. "Friends have con- Cox stressed on several Sun- gun outside a military facil-
ment, disliked Kirk and may on NBC's "Meet the Press," firmed that there was kind day morning news shows ity. A high school honor roll
have been "radicalized" citing interviews with Robin- of that deep, dark internet, that investigators are still try- student who scored in the
ing to pin down a motive for 99th percentile nationally
the attack on Kirk, a father on standardized tests, he
of two and Trump confidant was admitted to Utah State
who was killed Wednesday University in 2021 on a pres-
while on one of his signa- tigious academic scholar-
ture college speaking tours ship, according to a video
at Utah Valley University. of him reading his accep-
The governor said more in- tance letter that was posted
formation may come out to a family member's social
once Robinson appears in media account.
court Tuesday. But he attended for only
Cox said the suspect's part- one semester, according
ner was transgender, which to the university. He is cur-
some politicians have point- rently enrolled as a third-
ed to as a sign Robinson was year student in the electri-
targeting Kirk, the founder cal apprenticeship program
of Turning Points USA, for his at Dixie Technical College in
anti-trans views. But authori- St. George.
ties have not said whether Meanwhile, Kirk was memo-
it is relevant as they investi- rialized with candle-lit vigils
gate Robinson's motive. and other events Sunday.
"The roommate was a ro- At Dream City Church in
mantic partner, a male Phoenix, where Kirk hosted
transitioning to female," Cox one of his "Freedom Night
said. "I can say that he has in America" gatherings, at-
been incredibly coopera- tendees viewed clips of
tive, this partner has been the conservative activist
very cooperative, had no discussing his desire to be
idea that this was happen- "remembered for courage
ing." for my faith."
Investigators have spoken During a question-and-an-
to Robinson's relatives and swer session, a church pas-
carried out a search war- tor, Angel Barnett, called on
rant at his family's home the crowd to honor Kirk by
in Washington, about 240 carrying on his message.
miles (390 kilometers) south- "The left is nervous," Bar-
west of Utah Valley Univer- nett said. "And they're con-
sity, where the shooting took cerned because they've
place. lost control. Charlie started
State records show Rob- that, and we will continue
inson is registered to vote it." Added church panel-
but not affiliated with a po- ist Brandon Tatum: "These
litical party and is listed as cowards thought that they
inactive, meaning he did could end or eliminate the
not vote in the two most re- movement."
cent general elections. His "They just made it bigger.
parents are registered Re- They just made it stronger."q