Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspected of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, confessed to the crime at Discord, the online gaming platform.
As expected, authorities charged Robinson with aggravated murder and myriad other crimes and will seek the death penalty.
The Washington Post disclosed the confession after speaking with “two people familiar with the chat” and obtaining screenshots of the confession, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, TMZ reported that cops have charged George Zinn, the man who falsely told cops that he shot Kirk. He is charged with obstruction of justice and possession of child pornography.
“It Was Me”
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Robinson’s mea culpa was brief and to the point.
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” he wrote on Discord, the Post reported:
It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.
The message was sent Thursday night, about two hours before officials said Robinson was taken into custody.
A member of the group chat shared an image of the conversation with The Post and confirmed that it came from Robinson’s account. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of harassment.
Discord provided a copy of the message with the confession to authorities, according to a person familiar with the company’s interaction with law enforcement. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.
As well, Robinson sent the note “to a small private group of online friends,” the source told the Post. Discord claims that its internal probe found “no evidence” that Robinson planned to murder Kirk.
The Post also recounted the back-and-forth between Robinson and his friend group:
The Discord conversation shared with The Post shows members of the group chat reacting to Kirk’s shooting Wednesday — before the news broke that Robinson was allegedly involved. The group included about 30 people, according to the person who provided screenshots.
“Charlie Kirk got shot,” one friend wrote Wednesday afternoon, according to an image of the messages.
“I just saw the video holy s—,” another user wrote about an hour and a half later, adding of Kirk: “Bro didn’t deserve to go out like that sad.”
The only response from Robinson’s account came the next day with the message announcing “bad news.”
“im surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments,” the message, posted at 7:57 p.m. local time in Utah, continued. “thanks for all the good times and laughs, you’ve all been so amazing, thank you all for everything.”
The Charges
Prosecutors have filed a seven-count indictment with enhancements and aggravating factors.
The first count is aggravated murder, with the aggravating factor of committing violence in front a child. The enhancement is targeting Kirk because of this political beliefs.
Count Two is felony discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury with the same aggravating factor and victim enhancement for targeting.
Counts three and four are obstruction of justice charges, because Robinson hid the rifle he used and changed clothes and hid them after the assassination.
Counts five and six are witness tampering because he told his “transgender” roommate to delete texts and get a lawyer.
Count seven is a separate charge of violence committed in front of a child.
The indictment also reprises a note Robinson left for his roommate and a text exchange.
“On September 10, 2025, the roommate received a text message from Robinson which said, ‘drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,’” the indictment says:
The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Police found a photograph of this note.
There follows a long text exchange that included Robinson’s telling the roommate, identified as Lance Twiggs, who is “transitioning” to become a “woman”:
After reading the note, the roommate replied, “What????????????? You’re joking, right????”
Robinson: I am still ok with 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 there’s 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. …
Robinson: only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel. …
Robinson: remember how I was engraving bullets? The f**kin 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 f**king sucks. …
Robinson: 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
Fake Shooter Charged
Also facing a charge in connection with the murder is George Zinn, the elderly man who lied to cops, they allege, when he said he was the shooter, TMZ reported. His purpose was to permit murder suspect Robinson to escape.
“Now, Zinn has been charged with 4 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after FBI agents examined his phone and found images of underage girls dressed only in their underwear, according to court documents filed Tuesday by Utah prosecutors,” the website reported:
The docs say Zinn admitted to the feds he gets “sexually aroused” by children.
Just after the assassination, video showed cops holding Zinn. “I have the right to remain silent,” he said, and “shoot me, shoot me.”
H/T: The New York Times
