Charlie Kirk murder suspect told roommate 'he wishes he hadn't done it', court hears

Charlie Kirk murder suspect told roommate 'he wishes he hadn't done it', court hears

A Utah court has heard testimony that Tyler Robinson, 23, admitted to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to his roommate and later expressed regret, according to a videotaped interview played during a preliminary hearing this week.

The evidence emerged during the fourth day of proceedings on Thursday in Provo. The hearing aims to determine if prosecutors have sufficient evidence to bring Robinson to trial on charges of aggravated murder and six other counts. Prosecutors have stated they intend to seek the death penalty.

Lance Twiggs, the ex-roommate and romantic partner of Robinson, provided a recorded statement to prosecutors on April 20. In that interview, Twiggs described the day after the shooting, which occurred on 10 September 2025. Twiggs testified that when he asked Robinson in person if the admissions made via text the previous night were true, Robinson confirmed they were.

"He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn't done it and then kept going around and just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted or something."

Lance Twiggs, witness, via CNN

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot once in the neck while addressing a crowd of roughly 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. He was declared dead after being transported to a hospital. Investigators allege Robinson fired the shot from a rooftop near the speaking location.

Digital and physical evidence

The prosecution presented a series of text messages and a handwritten note to support the claim that Robinson confessed to the killing. Prosecutors allege a note left under a keyboard for Twiggs read: I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.

In subsequent text exchanges, Twiggs asked if Robinson was the one responsible. Robinson reportedly replied, I am, followed by I'm sorry. When asked for a motive, Robinson allegedly wrote that he had enough of his hatred and that some hate can't be negotiated out.

Further messages showed Robinson remaining near the Utah Valley University campus in Orem after the attack. He told Twiggs he had left his rifle in the bushes where he changed clothes and expressed concern that a sniffer dog might find the weapon. He texted that he was just sitting in my car watching reels for another hour before driving more than three hours back to their shared apartment in St George.

Law enforcement recovered a Mauser Model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope wrapped in a towel in a wooded area near the campus. The rifle contained one spent round and three unspent rounds, all of which featured engravings. According to testimony from former State Bureau of Investigation agent Jennifer Faumuina, investigators seized a Dremel rotary tool from Robinson's home. A US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report confirmed the Dremel tool was used to make the engravings on the cartridges found both in the rifle and inside the home, including one casing engraved with TEST SHOT.

Twiggs told prosecutors that Robinson had asked for the engraving tool months before the shooting, claiming he wanted to inscribe bullets for a family hunting and camping trip.

Courtroom disputes and defense challenges

The proceedings were marked by legal battles over the transparency of the evidence. Attorneys for the media and Erika Kirk, the widow of the victim, urged Judge Tony Graf to release the full interview and text exchanges. Jeffrey Neiman, the lawyer for the Kirk family, argued that a lack of transparency would create doubt and distrust in the judicial system.

Robinson's defense team fought the release, arguing that characterizing the statements as a confession could undermine the defendant's right to a fair trial. Judge Graf eventually ruled that the footage and texts could be published, though some portions were redacted or kept restricted to the courtroom.

The defense has also challenged the forensic evidence. Lawyer Michael Burt questioned the reliability of DNA testing used to link Robinson to the rifle, screwdriver, and towel recovered at the scene, arguing that an FBI analyst could not match the defendant to the samples. However, forensic expert Lawrence Quarino testified that DNA testing remains the gold standard in forensic science.

Robinson has not yet entered a plea. He surrendered to the Washington County Sheriff's Office at approximately 21:00 on 11 September 2025, accompanied by his parents and a family friend.

The state rested its case in chief on Thursday afternoon after calling four law enforcement witnesses. The defense is expected to call several forensic experts before Judge Graf decides if the case will proceed to trial.