Conservative activist and social media character Charlie Kirk was fatally shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College in the USA on Wednesday.
After greater than a two-day manhunt, authorities arrested and named 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson because the suspect in Kirk’s capturing.
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Whereas naming Robinson, authorities stated a motive was unknown. Since then, nonetheless, politicians and posts on social media platforms have speculated about what might need pushed Robinson to allegedly shoot Kirk.
Here’s what we all know to date about Robinson and potential motives:
Who shot Kirk – and was he a Republican or a Democrat?
On Friday, Utah Governor Spencer Cox named Robinson because the particular person suspected of fatally capturing Kirk.
Robinson is a third-year scholar within the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical Faculty in St George, Utah.
State data from Utah confirmed that Robinson is a registered voter within the state, however he isn’t affiliated with any political get together. He didn’t vote within the two most up-to-date common elections when he was of voting age.
Firstly of the hunt for Kirk’s shooter, Utah’s Division of Public Security launched grainy surveillance digicam pictures of a white man carrying Converse trainers, denims, a long-sleeved black T-shirt with a US flag and eagle on it, and a black baseball cap with a triangle.
Robinson’s household: What can we find out about their politics?
Robinson’s listed deal with is his dad and mom’ house close to St George, a couple of 3.5-hour drive from Utah Valley College. Robinson’s dad and mom are each registered Republicans.
Different relations have spoken in information interviews about how the prolonged household too is Republican. On social media platforms, a few of Robinson’s pictures present him holding weapons.
However in an affidavit filed by prosecutors towards Robinson after his arrest, they stated a member of the family had advised them that he had “grow to be extra political in recent times”.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Particular Agent Robert Bohls described Robinson’s weapon as “a high-powered, bolt-action rifle”.
In keeping with the affidavit filed by prosecutors towards Robinson on Friday, investigators discovered a .30-06-calibre, bolt-action Mauser Mannequin 98 rifle wrapped in a darkish colored towel allegedly discarded by Robinson.
What drove Robinson to shoot Kirk, in keeping with prosecutors?
Whereas prosecutors haven’t spelled out a motive for Robinson’s alleged act, their affidavit particulars conversations with the member of the family who referred to the suspect’s more and more political flip and to Robinson’s flatmate.
In keeping with the affidavit, certainly one of Kirk’s relations advised investigators that Robinson had visited for a household dinner earlier than the capturing. Whereas speaking to a different member of the family, Robinson had talked about his dislike for Kirk.
The opposite member of the family additionally echoed Robinson’s dislike, and each people stated they didn’t like Kirk’s viewpoints. The member of the family additionally stated Kirk was filled with hate and spreading hate.
What has Utah’s governor stated about Robinson’s doable motivations?
Cox, a Republican, advised The Wall Avenue Journal that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology“.
Cox referenced cryptic messages that prosecutors stated have been engraved on shell casings recovered with the rifle allegedly utilized in Kirk’s capturing.
In keeping with the affidavit, one fired casing learn: “Notices, bulges OWO what’s this?”
Three unfired shell casings additionally had messages. They learn: “hey fascist! CATCH!” with an up arrow image, proper arrow image and three down arrow symbols; a reference to an antifascist Italian people tune, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!”; and “If you happen to learn This, you’re GAY Lmao.”
Cox additionally referenced the sexual id of Robinson’s flatmate and associate, who the governor stated had been cooperating with investigators.
In an interview with CNN, Cox stated Robinson’s roommate was transgender, “a male transitioning to feminine”, who was romantically concerned with Robinson.
The Utah governor stated that not like the suspect’s household and flatmate, Robinson himself was “not cooperating” with the investigation.
What else do we all know?
In keeping with the affidavit, Robinson’s roommate revealed digital messages that Robinson despatched that might present extra clues concerning the suspected shooter’s motive.
Within the messages, the sender, named “Tyler”, stated he had left a rifle in a bush and needed to retrieve it. “Tyler” additionally wrote that he wrapped the rifle in a towel. The messages additionally discuss engraving bullets.
