The Texts Behind the Trigger: What Utah’s Indictment Reveals About the Charlie Kirk Assassin
Utah’s indictment reveals a chilling chain of messages and a political blame game already in motion.
Utah prosecutors have released their indictment detailing texts allegedly sent by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the hours after he fatally shot Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University.
The picture that emerges is not of a random act. It is of someone who allegedly planned the attack for more than a week, left a note under his keyboard, and confessed by text to his roommate right after the killing.
“I Had Enough of His Hatred”
The indictment quotes Robinson texting his roommate:
“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.”
This came after the roommate discovered Robinson’s note: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
By then, Kirk had already been shot once in the neck.
Prosecutors say Robinson admitted the plan had been in motion for “a bit over a week.” His roommate, who was reportedly romantically involved with him, responded with a short but telling reply: “I’m much more worried about you.”
The Gun and the Cover-Up
Investigators say Robinson used a bolt-action rifle that belonged to his grandfather, fired from a rooftop, then hid the gun in nearby woods. DNA from the trigger matched Robinson, according to Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray.
Afterward, Robinson allegedly ditched his clothing and urged his roommate to delete incriminating texts and avoid police. That effort is now part of additional charges: witness tampering and obstruction.
Facing Death Penalty
Robinson was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of aggravated murder, a capital offense. Gray said prosecutors will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Federal charges are also expected.
“This is the most serious charge we have,” Gray said. “After shooting Mr. Kirk, Robinson hid the gun, discarded the clothing he wore when he fired the rifle, and told his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and not to talk to police.”
The Political Spin
The reaction has been predictably chaotic.
Some left-wing commentators point to Robinson’s Southern Utah upbringing in a pro-gun, Republican household as proof he leaned conservative. Republicans counter that his transgender partner provided the motivation, since Kirk built his brand on attacking trans rights.
Gray clarified that Robinson’s roommate is a biological male currently transitioning. That detail was missing in the indictment itself but has became fuel for Republicans eager to wedge the killing into their anti-trans narrative.
Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson was active in the “deep dark internet.” FBI Director Kash Patel claimed he subscribed to “left-wing ideology” and joined forums now under investigation.
So depending on who you ask, Robinson was either a conservative gun kid or a radical leftist assassin. The one thing everyone agrees on is that his crime will be weaponized for political talking points.
A Family Rift
The indictment also notes Robinson and his MAGA-supporting father had clashed over politics. His father, Mark Robinson, and mother recognized him in FBI-released images and convinced him to turn himself in.
That twist, Trump-loving dad helping police catch his son after he killed Trump’s campus warrior, underscores how messy this case really is.
One Bullet
The FBI said Robinson fired a single shot from a rooftop. One bullet ended Kirk’s life and ignited a political storm.
The rifle was hidden in the woods. The shooter walked away. The texts did the rest of the talking.
Cutting Through the Noise
This case is not just about one man’s violent choice. It is about how fast violence becomes spin.
Republicans are already calling it left-wing terrorism. Democrats are pointing to MAGA hypocrisy. Meanwhile, the actual indictment shows a young man writing about “hatred,” planning for a week, and taking a shot at someone he saw as a symbol.
Whatever else gets layered on, culture-war finger-pointing, social media conspiracy theories, the core is simple. Robinson planned, acted, and allegedly pulled the trigger.
The politics may be confusing. The violence is not.