Accused Kirk shooter voiced regret the next day, former roommate tells prosecutors

Charlie Kirk, a leading supporter of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot by Tyler Robinson before a large crowd while debating students at Utah Valley University.

Tyler Robinson, accused of the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, appears at a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, US, December 11, 2025.

(photo credit: Rick Egan/Pool via Reuters)

ByREUTERS

JULY 10, 2026 06:27

The former roommate of Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, informed prosecutors that Robinson voiced regret the day after the attack and intended to surrender to authorities, according to a recorded interview shown in court on Thursday.

The interview with Robinson's former roommate and partner, Lance Twiggs, was introduced as prosecutors sought to establish sufficient evidence for trial before a Utah judge during a week-long hearing marked by disputes over admissible evidence.

Robinson, who was training as an electrician when the shooting occurred, faces seven charges including aggravated murder, with prosecutors pursuing the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea.

The 31-year-old Kirk, a key ally of President Donald Trump, was killed in front of thousands during a student debate at Utah Valley University. The case ranks among high-profile attacks on political figures that have heightened worries about violence in US politics.

During the April 20 interview, partially redacted by District Judge Tony Graf, Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride questioned Twiggs about text exchanges with Robinson hours after Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025. In those messages, previously released, Robinson allegedly confessed the shooting to Twiggs.

Twiggs stated that Robinson arrived back at their three-bedroom townhouse in St. George, Utah, roughly a three-and-a-half-hour drive south of the university, on the morning of September 11.

"I asked him directly if what he told me the night before was accurate, and he confirmed it. He began to cry and said he wished he had not done it," Twiggs recounted to McBride.

Twiggs consented to the interview with prosecutors and police instead of appearing at the preliminary hearing and received immunity in exchange for his assistance.

Judge Graf excluded portions of the interview after Robinson's attorney argued that prosecutors might present the segments as confessions and undermine the defendant's right to a fair trial.

An attorney representing Erika Kirk, the widow present throughout the hearing, urged that the full interview and all evidence be shown openly in court.

"The Kirk family has waited 10 months for this hearing. They have a right to hear the evidence," lawyer Jeffrey Neiman told the court.

'I had enough of this hatred'

The court concludes the final day of the preliminary hearing on Friday. Both sides will file written arguments ahead of a September 1 ruling by Graf.

Robinson's lawyers have argued this week that police overlooked possible evidence pointing to another perpetrator.

Prosecutors introduced redacted September 10 text messages between Robinson and Twiggs, along with a Discord chat and a photo of a handwritten note.

Audio on the court livestream was muted at times when prosecutors presented evidence that Graf determined could prejudice potential jurors.

Messages shown by prosecutors reveal Twiggs asked Robinson why he shot Kirk, and Robinson responded: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."

In the April 20 interview, Twiggs explained he first met Robinson in 2023 upon moving into the shared townhouse and began dating him three months later.

Prosecutors maintain the messages show Robinson targeted Kirk due to conservative political positions, including anti-LGBTQ remarks. The defense challenges this view and has moved to restrict evidence of political motive that could support death-penalty arguments.

Twiggs noted he seldom discussed politics with Robinson, and their first conversation about Kirk took place only after the shooting.