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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused in the killing of Charlie Kirk, appeared to admit responsibility in an online chat with friends shortly before surrendering to authorities, according to two people familiar with the exchange and screenshots reviewed by The Washington Post.
A message posted on Discord from an account linked to the suspect, Tyler Robinson, said, "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this."
The message was sent Thursday night, roughly two hours before officials said Robinson turned himself in, The Washington Post reported.
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Newsweek reached out to the FBI for comment via email on Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
The alleged messages from Robinson come as federal officials have yet to file a criminal complaint outlining his alleged actions leading up to Kirk's death last Wednesday. The suspect's online activities, political views, and personal life continue to be scrutinized and speculated upon, with an official motive remaining unknown.
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Tyler Robinson Discord Confession: Report
In screenshots of chats from the social media platform Discord, reviewed by The Washington Post and backed by sources speaking to the outlet on condition of anonymity, Robinson was said to have confessed to online friends around two hours before FBI Director Kash Patel announced that he was detained on Thursday night.
The messages had been sent to a small group of friends, and Discord was said to have shared these with investigators, according to a person familiar with the interaction who also spoke to The Washington Post.
Following Kirk's fatal shooting at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, members of the group chat were seen reacting to the news, with one user saying that: "Bro didn't deserve to go out like that sad."
A day later, the apparent confession appeared in the chat, the Post reported.
"im surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments," the message reportedly read. "thanks for all the good times and laughs, you've all been so amazing, thank you all for everything."
In the group, following the announcement of Robinson's arrest, one member said they should "pray for Tyler and his repentance."
When Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced Robinson's arrest on Thursday, he said that the suspect had sent messages via Discord. The platform denied this but did confirm that Robinson had an account.
The Washington Post did not publish the screenshots it said it had reviewed.
On Monday, Patel told Fox News that DNA on a towel wrapped around a rifle found close to where Kirk was shot had matched Robinson's.
Patel also said that the suspect had written a note before the killing. The note had been destroyed, the director said, but investigators had managed to obtain its contents.
Charlie Kirk Funeral: What We Know
Tributes to Kirk have continued around the world. On Sunday, mourners gathered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for a vigil, while several sports teams also observed moments of silence in his honor.
A public memorial service for Kirk has been scheduled for Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, according to Turning Point USA, Kirk's organization.
What People Are Saying
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, during a press conference last week: "Social media is a cancer on our society right now, and I would encourage people to log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member. Go out and do good in the community."
FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News on Monday: "[Robinson's] family has collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology. He claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it, because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for."
When Will Tyler Robinson Appear in Court?
It is likely that more details on the evidence federal investigators have gathered on Robinson will be made public in the coming days, with capital murder charges expected.
Robinson is expected to appear in court then.
Update 9/15/25, 4:49 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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