Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old student who was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt, had confessed to his crime on Discord just hours before his arrest. Robinson, after killing Conservative commentator and US President Donald Trump’s ally Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah, told his friends in a group chat. The chat on Discord had over 30 people, The Washington Post reported.
‘I’m sorry for all of this’
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” he wrote, before adding, “It was me at Utah Valley University yesterday.”
He informed, “I’m sorry for all of this. I am surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments.”
Robinson went on to express, “Thanks for all the good times and laughs.”
Robinson’s Discord messages to roommate
Robinson used to live with Lance Twiggs, a 22-year-old student and “wannabe gamer” in a three-bedroom apartment. He texted him as well on Discord, as per an affidavit quoted by the Daily Mail.
The messages were about stashing a gun, which was used to kill Charlie Kirk.
“Need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point,” the message read.
He also allegedly texted him about “leaving the rifle in a bush”, “visually watching the area where the rifle was left”, and “rifle wrapped in a towel”. He also referred to “engraving bullets” and that the “rifle was unique”.
Twiggs, who is not named in the filing, quickly reported this to the police. Police later found a Mauser .30-06 calibre rifle wrapped in a towel, abandoned in a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus shortly after the shooting.
Tyler Robinson’s arrest
Tyler Robinson fled the scene after allegedly assassinating Kirk from a rooftop on the campus of Utah Valley University. The rooftop, which police accessed later, had text engravings on bullet casings. One of them was, “Hey fascist! Catch,” while another had the lyrics of the Italian song Bella Ciao.
“If you read this, you are gay LMAO,” yet another engraving, per CNN, read.
When the FBI released grainy photos of Robinson, his father asked if it was him. After Robinson confirmed, his father urged him to surrender. Initially hesitant, Robinson later agreed to turn himself in after a conversation with a pastor.
Utah County prosecutors plan to file charges on Tuesday, after which he will be produced before the court.