(NewsNation) — Utah’s top law enforcement official said Monday that significant evidence in the assassination of Charlie Kirk will be made public following the suspect’s court appearance, as investigators work to understand what motivated a 22-year-old college student to allegedly gun down the conservative activist.
Beau Mason, commissioner of Utah’s Department of Public Safety, told NewsNation’s “CUOMO” that Tyler Robinson’s family played a crucial role in his peaceful surrender to authorities after the Wednesday shooting at Utah Valley University.
“We have good evidence that we can bring out later that shows maybe his thought process with how this would play out,” Mason said. “Right now, I just can’t speak to that until after those charges are formally filed.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson’s family told investigators he had embraced left-wing ideology in recent years and had sent text messages claiming he had an opportunity to “take out” Kirk because of his hatred for what the commentator represented.
The shooting occurred during Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong: The American Comeback” campus tour, where he regularly debated college students on political issues. Video footage captured the moment a single bullet struck Kirk in the neck as he spoke to students.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson had been radicalized by online gaming culture and extremist internet content.
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Physical evidence linking Robinson to the crime includes DNA found on a towel wrapped around the bolt-action rifle and a screwdriver discovered on the rooftop where the shot was fired, Patel said.
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Bullet casings discovered by investigators had several inscriptions engraved on them, Cox said. The casing that had been fired read: “Notices Bulges OwO What’s this?”
The third fired casing read: “If you read this you are gay, LMAO.” Cox said there were three unfired casings.
One read, “Hey fascist, catch,” with an up arrow symbol, right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols. Another one featured the words “Bella ciao,” a lyric from an antifascist World War II song.
Mason confirmed Robinson was the “lone gunman and lone actor on campus” but said investigators continue examining whether others influenced his mindset leading up to the attack.
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Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner has been cooperative with the investigation, Mason added.
Vice President JD Vance hosted a special edition of Kirk’s podcast Monday, featuring Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Vance called Kirk a “joyful warrior for our country” who devoted himself to making America better.
Robinson is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, when the Utah County attorney will file formal charges.
Political threats have increased dramatically throughout Utah since Kirk’s murder, Mason said, including threats against people interviewed as persons of interest.
