Suspect in Charlie Kirk Shooting Refuses to Cooperate with Authorities, Utah Governor Warns
Utah's governor Spencer Cox revealed on Sunday that suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, is refusing to cooperate with authorities in the investigation into the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. According to Cox, investigators are still trying to establish a motive for the crime.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at an open-air event held by Turning Point USA, an organization co-founded by Kirk, at Utah Valley University. Kirk was shot dead in the neck by a single bullet while speaking at the event, which was part of the American Comeback Tour. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody 33 hours after the shooting.
Governor Cox expressed concerns about social media's role in the aftermath of the tragedy, stating that people around Robinson were cooperating with authorities but the suspect himself had not confessed to carrying out the crime. "The individual who committed this heinous act is not cooperating with law enforcement," Cox said on several Sunday morning shows. "We are still trying to determine a motive for this senseless violence."
According to reports, Robinson had joked about being the gunman on Discord after the incident, but this has not been confirmed by authorities. The governor emphasized that the ongoing investigation would focus on gathering evidence and piecing together the events leading up to the shooting.
Turning Point USA, the organization co-founded by Kirk, released a statement condemning the violence and expressing support for the victim's family. "We are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that took Charlie's life," said a spokesperson for Turning Point USA. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motive behind the crime. As the case unfolds, Governor Cox urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
In a statement, Cox said, "We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for this heinous act are held accountable." The investigation is expected to continue in the coming days, with updates provided as more information becomes available.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.