Spencer Cox claims Tyler Robinson was ‘indoctrinated with leftist ideology’ before Charlie Kirk killing

OREM, UTAH: Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, had left-leaning political views, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

The governor said investigators uncovered evidence that pointed to Robinson’s ideological leanings, which he linked to online influences.

Spencer Cox points to Tyler Robinson’s ideology in Charlie Kirk shooting

This follows the suspect sparking a partisan clash over his ideology, with right-leaning groups accusing him of having leftist views, while leftists claim he is far-right.

“It’s very clear to us and to the investigators that this was a person who was deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” Cox told The Wall Street Journal.

At a recent family dinner, Robinson had commented on Kirk’s first stop of his American Comeback tour at Utah Valley University in Orem, which was about three hours from his home.

Despite not being registered with any political party, Robinson shared that he “didn’t like” Kirk or “the viewpoints he had,” saying the Turning Point USA founder was “full of hate and spreading hate,” according to Cox.

“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said during a press conference Friday.

Bullet casings with anti-fascist phrases recovered 

Evidence collected some distance from the site of the shooting included bullet casings etched with phrases connected to left-leaning internet culture besides the sniper rifle used in the killing.

One casing bore the phrase “Hey fascist! Catch!” while others had markings such as “if you read this, you are gay lmao” and “Bella Ciao,” an Italian anti-fascist song from World War II that later became popular on TikTok.

Cox suggested that people could interpret his ideology from the messages.

Robinson’s roommate also provided investigators with Discord messages from a contact named “Tyler” discussing the need to retrieve a rifle. Authorities later found Robinson’s Mauser model 98 bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope in a wooded area near the Utah university.

Tyler Robinson’s family role in his surrender 

Robinson once attended a Mormon church when he was younger, according to a neighbor familiar with his family.

He was turned in by his father through a minister who is a family friend.

Robinson as per reports admitted to his father that he would rather take his own life than surrender before being handed over.

Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet. Horrific videos that quickly spread online showed him jerking back in pain. He was rushed to a hospital for emergency surgery after losing a large amount of blood.

Internet call for accountability and transparency

The internet called for accountability and greater transparency after Spencer's remarks, with some suggesting that officials should step forward to substantiate these claims.

“Find out who indoctrinated him, lock them up for the rest of their lives and ban their ideological allies from using the Internet,” one person wrote on X.

Another urged, “The FBI, and Spencer Cox needs to come out on camera today and say this publicly. This is doing immense damage and is just making people angrier. Don’t you dare let them rewrite history in front of our eyes.”

Some disagreed with the governor’s framing. “This is Cox’s opinion. Clearly, he is incorrect. This person was making fun of leftist ideology,” another user commented.

Others kept their focus on punishment. “Make him pay for what he did,” one wrote, while another added, “The only people refusing to accept this are the libs.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online