'Failing at life': Psychiatrists reveal what made Tyler Robinson ideal lone wolf in Charlie Kirk case

WASHINGTON, DC: A psychiatrist has shared never-before-revealed reasons why Tyler Robinson may have targeted conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk. According to the Daily Mail, psychiatrist Raj Persuad believes Robinson’s decision may have been driven less by ideology and more by personal life bottlenecks and complications.

The question remains, what drove Robinson to gun down Kirk? Or was it, as experts suggest, his personal life grievances entangled with failure and jealousy that instigated him to take this drastic step?

Persaud said, "The public often thinks of these attacks as being well-planned and political in nature. But decades of the secret service's own research have shown that these people are often dysfunctional... individuals that are failing at life."

Psychiatrist probes motive behind Tyler Robinson’s attack on Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson dropped out of college despite holding a $32,000 scholarship. He was more focused and inclined toward gaming and increasingly isolated himself.

He isolated himself and was, deep down, far too involved in online gaming, like 'Call of Duty,' 'Halo,' and other shooting games.

Persuad shared that Robinson's attack was more rooted in personal issues. Persuad shared on 'The Psychology of Charlie Kirk Killer Tyler Robinson Predicted by Psychiatrist' YouTube video, "[Robinson] would appear to fit part of the profile of someone who was on a slide downwards, but not so far down that he was unemployed... although he did spend a lot of time gaming."

Persuad added, “That moment when Robinson dropped out of university is extremely important. Why did he drop out? What happened?”

“The public often thinks of these attacks as being well-planned and political in nature,” Persaud said. “But decades of the Secret Service’s own research have shown that these people are often dysfunctional individuals failing at life.”

Persaud further noted that the shift from university life to isolation and endless hours online could have fueled a reservoir of resentment.

Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist in California, also shared her perspective to The Daily Mail, "There is something about these shooters and part of their motive, not their main motive, but part of it is jealousy."

She added, "He had won a scholarship, but left after the first semester. Now he's studying to be an electrician, a big comedown from his original plan."

How Tyler Robinson slipped into the ‘lone wolf’ pattern?

Being an avid gamer, he was always drawn to shooting games. Persuad suggestes his shooting of Kirk may have been influenced by the sniper roles in such games. 

He explained: "There is a theory in psychology that a lot of these first-person shooter games emphasize the sniper element, and there is something about being a sniper in the games that is very unhelpful. These sniper roles may encourage some people who are weak-minded or upset to take up the notion of being a sniper because that makes you a powerful person."

Persuad shared in his video that Robinson’s isolation was far darker and more fatal than his outward life appeared. His motive may have stemmed from a craving for recognition.

Targeting a well-known figure like Kirk ensured that his name would be etched into headlines.

Persaud added: “Lone wolf actors may target prominent individuals like Kirk because they symbolize what they have been unable to achieve.” He shared, "We would have a conversation about ideas with like-minded individuals, and that would help absorb anger and focus someone in a positive direction, to go canvassing."

According to him, Robinson’s alleged killing of Kirk may also be tied to his personal relationship. The 22-year-old gunman had an alleged relationship with a transgender person, and Kirk's stance could have felt like a personal attack to Robinson.

Reports claim Robinson was in a relationship with Lance Twiggs, who was also his roommate and an individual transitioning from male to female. 

Persaud explained, “Charlie Kirk was passionately anti-transgender, and the allegation is Robinson shared a room with a transgender person he was dating… so you can see why he took it out on Charlie Kirk. That’s more personal grievance than political grievance.”

Tyler Robinson taunts FBI in Discord chat hours after shooting

According to The New York Times, just hours after Kirk was shot, Robinson allegedly joined a Discord chat where he made fun of the manhunt and taunted federal agents.

In the chat, when another user tagged him, "Tyler killed Charlie!!!" Robinson replied, “My doppelganger’s trying to get me in trouble.”

The Times later verified the messages and shared that Robinson was aware of the manhunt. 

When someone cracked a joke about turning him in for the FBI’s $100,000 reward, Robinson said, “Only if I get a cut.”

As per New York Post, Robinson was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt. Robinson made his first virtual court appearance following his arrest on suspicion of fatally shooting conservative activist Kirk at the Turning Point USA debate event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.