Why was Kirk killed? Evidence paints complicated picture of alleged assassin

"Prosecutors in Utah appear to be preparing to argue that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last week because he disagreed with Kirk's anti-trans rhetoric. In their charging document, authorities cite text messages that Robinson allegedly exchanged with "his lover/roommate," a person they describe as "a biological male who was transitioning genders." The document also includes another text in which Robinson allegedly explains that he killed Kirk because he had "had enough of his hatred.""

"The presumed motive has added fire to a rash of speculation by high-reach conservatives, who have suggested that this motive equated to a political ideology. The same day Kirk was killed, President Trump claimed the shooter was a "radical leftist." Others have suggested that the suspect may have been "groomed" by a "trans terror cell" and that he was perhaps working with larger groups, including "antifa." So far, these claims have not been supported by publicly released evidence."

"In fact, little is still known about Robinson's politics. According to the charging document, his mother told investigators that he had become more "pro-gay and trans-rights oriented" within the last year. It also includes a text message, allegedly written by Robinson, that said "since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga." But Robinson is not registered with a political party in Utah."

Prosecutors allege that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with Kirk's anti-trans rhetoric. Charging documents cite text messages Robinson allegedly exchanged with his lover/roommate, described as a biological male transitioning genders, and an alleged text in which Robinson wrote he had "had enough of his hatred." High-profile conservatives responded with claims that the motive equated to a political ideology, with President Trump calling the shooter a "radical leftist" and others alleging links to "trans terror" or antifa. Publicly released evidence does not support those claims, and little is known about Robinson's broader politics.

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