Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, tragically passed away on Wednesday. He was brutally murdered in front of his wife and two young children during an event held at Utah Valley University.
He was speaking to a large crowd at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate, where he invites students to challenge his political and cultural views.
Authorities released a video late Thursday, capturing the suspect’s descent from a roof after the shooting, and had spent the day disseminating images of the “person of interest,” urging the public to assist in identifying the suspect.
Like many others, Matt Robinson was taken aback Thursday afternoon when he saw the FBI-released images of the alleged shooter. To his shock, he recognized the suspect as his son, Tyler. Upon returning home, Matt confronts Tyler, who admits to the shooting.
Although Matt Robinson urges his son to surrender, Tyler, just 22 years old, expresses thoughts of suicide. Not knowing how to help, Matt contacts his son’s youth pastor, who is also a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force officer. With the officer’s guidance, Tyler begins to consider turning himself in.
turn himself in.
Meanwhile, neighbors identify Lance Twiggs as Tyler’s roommate. A student at Utah Tech University, Twiggs assists the police by showing them incriminating messages from Tyler on Discord, effectively cooperating with the investigation. Neighbors described the duo as secluded and constantly playing loud music.
Within Tyler’s 20-member Discord group, consisting of gamer acquaintances from Pine Hill, there’s a lighthearted moment when one member sends the FBI’s photo to Tyler, asking, “Where are you at?” Tyler jokingly responds, “It’s my doppelgänger trying to get me in trouble!”
Another friend proclaims, “Tyler killed Charlie!!!” A third suggests turning Robinson in for the reward, and Robinson sneers, “Only if Iget a cut.”
One pal quips, “Whatever you do, don’t go to a McDonald’s anytime soon.”
Robinson agrees, joking that he “better get rid of this manifesto and exact copy rifle I have lying around,” before insisting the shooter is “clearly” from California.
Evidenced by his Twitch channel, Twiggs is also an avid online gamer.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, spoke out late Friday, vowing Turning Point USA will keep hosting campus events. President Trump paid tribute to Kirk, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the shooting and denounced acts of political violence.
Institutions from airlines to schools to even the military moved quickly to fire or discipline employees accused of celebrating or mocking Charlie’s death on social media.
An interviewer once asked Charlie, if everything completely goes away, how did he want to be remembered?
Kirk: “I want to be– I want to be remembered for– for courage, for my faith. That– that would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
- Dr. Sue Cornbluth – Family and Relationship Expert, Owner of Dr. Sue & You, Author of “Building Self-Esteem in Children and Teens Who Are Adopted or Fostered;” YouTube: DrSueAndYou
- Sydney Sumner – Crime Stories Investigative Reporter
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: FILE – Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks at a Turning Point event prior to Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaking, Sept. 4, 2024, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)]
