Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, said Sunday that the suspect in the shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk is not cooperating with authorities.
“He has not confessed to, to authorities. He is, he is, he is not cooperating, but, but, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think that’s, that’s, that’s very important,” Cox told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.
Authorities identified Kirk’s alleged shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who now remains in custody. Charges are expected to be formally filed on Tuesday, Cox said.
Cox was also asked about a Sunday New York Times report that alleged Robinson had communicated with others on Discord after the shooting. The Times reported Robinson had made jokes about being the alleged gunman.
ABC News – PHOTO: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox appears on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sept. 14, 2025
ABC has not confirmed the messages.
“All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely were happening, and they did not believe it was actually him. It was, it was all joking until, until he, you know, until he admitted that it actually was him,” he said.
The Utah governor, who has been the public face of the investigation, also confirmed reports Saturday that the suspect’s roommate is transitioning from male to female.
“We can confirm that, that his roommate was indeed a boyfriend who is transitioning from, from male to female. That’s, that’s information that the FBI had, had mentioned yesterday. We can confirm that as well. And that, that, that he is cooperating with, with authorities as well,” he said.
However, officials have yet to identify a motive in the killing.
While Cox had previously told the Wall Street Journal that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” when Raddatz asked if investigators uncovered evidence to support that statement, the governor said that “so far, that has come from his acquaintances and his family members.”
Asked if investigators have uncovered evidence to show that, Cox replied, “Well, so far that — that has come from his acquaintance and his family members. That’s where that initial information has come from. Certainly there will be much more information that is released in the charging documents as they’re bringing all of that together.
Cox said more developments to arrive in the coming days and urges Americans to choose kindness in a time of high political tension.
“These are very tragic circumstances that impact all of us,” Cox said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
