The investigators probing the Charlie Kirk shooting incident are still in the dark about the accused Tyler Robinson’s motive but believe his transgender roommate could divulge details that could help understand what prompted him to commit the crime.
According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Tyler Robinson is not cooperating with the investigation and is not yet ready to discuss a potential move. “There clearly was a leftist ideology,” he said, without providing further details.
The focus of the investigation has now shifted to Robinson’s alleged romantic partner, a transgender individual, who is cooperating with the authorities. The person is not yet accused of any wrongdoing, but the investigators could use him to learn more about Robinson’s state of mind. Robinson lived with the unnamed person, who is a male transitioning to female, at an apartment in Saint George, Utah.
Criminal defense attorney Josh Ritter told Fox News that Robinson’s roommate could be a "wealth of information" for investigators. "As we're starting to learn about this relationship that he may have had, that starts to add further insight," he said. He also feels that details of Robinson’s personal life may all point to the motive behind the killing. "To me, there seems to be an absolute connection between the timing of the shooting itself and the fact that … this is a public assassination. He wanted him to be shot in front of people, voicing his feelings," he said.
However, the roommate is said to be “aghast" at the slaying and shared electronic messages sent by Robinson with the investigators. "That's what happened? Oh my God, no," the roommate said, according to the source. "Here are all the messages."
Also read
- Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika Kirk opens up about whether she will seek death penalty for Tyler Robinson
- What Tyler Robinson should wear in court? Charlie Kirk murder accused's lawyers say media scrutiny 'polluted the waters of justice'
- Tyler Robinson: How fair trial, pre-trial secrecy and jury pool could make or break Charlie Kirk murder case
The texts between them proved that Tyler mentioned to his roommate after the shooting that he wrapped is rifle in a towel and stashed it in some bushes near Utah Valley University. Tyler also told the roommate in writing that the rifle would have to be retrieved.
“It's pretty clear that Robinson's roommate knew a lot and didn't say anything after the killing, so they're a person of interest officially and are cooperating," a second official said. "We want to keep it that way."