A family member communicated to investigators that Robinson “had become more politically active in recent times,” as noted by Utah Governor Spencer Cox during a press briefing on Friday morning â particularly expressing hostility towards Kirk, according to the family member.
Those messages included one that said, “Hey fascist! Catch!” and another that appeared to reference an Italian anti-fascist song.
Robinson was raised in Washington, Utah, and secured a scholarship to Utah State University based on his impressive high school academic performance, though he left the university after one semester, as indicated by public records, social media, and a university release.
Voter registration documents state that Robinson does not affiliate with any political party, and is marked as an “inactive” voter because he hasn’t participated in the recent two general elections.
Photos on social media depict Robinson in grey Converse sneakers and sunglasses similar to those of the shooting suspect shown in images released by authorities earlier this week.
Governor Cox mentioned during the press conference that on Thursday night, a family member of Robinson contacted a family friend, who then informed the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that “Robinson had either confessed or suggested he was involved in the incident.”
Robinson was taken into custody around 10pm Thursday, after a 33-hour manhunt, FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday.
Robinson hails from a peaceful suburb near St. George, located in the state’s southwestern region. This town sits approximately three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Utah Valley University, the site of Kirk’s shooting on Wednesday afternoon during a campus event.
Cox said that a family member of Robinson had told investigators that at a recent family dinner, Robinson had mentioned Kirk’s upcoming Utah Valley event, and “they talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said.
“The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
The bolt-action rifle Robinson used and left in a wooded area near the campus had various phrases engraved on the bullet casings, Cox said, including “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao ciao,” which appeared to reference an Italian anti-fascist song.
Other engravings hinted more at connections to online trolling and memes, including one that said, “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”
Robinson graduated from Pine View High School in St. George in 2021, a spokesperson for the school confirmed.
He received a resident presidential scholarship to attend Utah State University, according to a Facebook video his mother posted of him reading a letter about the award.
