OREM, UTAH — Federal investigators have revealed new details about the life of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus event last week. According to senior FBI officials, Robinson was living with a transgender partner in St. George, Utah, at the time of the killing — a revelation that adds another layer of complexity to a case already gripping the nation.
Robinson’s Living Situation
Investigators confirmed that Robinson shared an apartment with 22-year-old Lance Twiggs, who is identified in public records as Robinson’s romantic partner. The apartment was located just a short distance from Robinson’s parents’ home in southern Utah, suggesting that while Robinson lived independently, he remained closely connected to his family.
FBI officials emphasized that Twiggs has been “extremely cooperative” with investigators from the outset. Authorities have stressed that Twiggs is not suspected of involvement in the assassination and currently faces no criminal charges.
“Twiggs had no idea Robinson was allegedly planning to kill Charlie Kirk,” one FBI official told Fox News Digital. “But every connection, every group, every link is being examined, and if anyone played even a minor role in planning or supporting this act, they will be brought to justice.”
Computers, mobile devices, and other evidence collected from the shared apartment have been sent to Quantico for a detailed forensic review. Investigators hope the digital trail will provide insight into Robinson’s planning process, motivations, and whether others were aware of his intentions.
The Turning Point: A Father’s Decision
The FBI manhunt for Robinson lasted approximately 33 hours, with law enforcement agencies across Utah and beyond scrambling to track down the suspect. The breakthrough came not from advanced surveillance technology, but from Robinson’s own family.
According to a law enforcement source, it was Robinson’s father who identified him in surveillance footage released during the nationwide search. FBI Director Kash Patel authorized the release of the footage, showing the suspected shooter near Utah Valley University in Orem shortly before the attack.
After recognizing his son, Robinson’s father reportedly consulted a family minister before contacting authorities. He later turned Robinson in, an act officials have described as both tragic and courageous.
When Robinson arrived home during the manhunt, family members said he was visibly distraught and expressed suicidal thoughts. “He wanted to kill himself,” the source said, adding that relatives convinced him to surrender peacefully instead.
The Assassination
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies say Robinson carried out the assassination using a bolt-action rifle. From the roof of a building located approximately 200 yards away, he fired a single round that struck Kirk in the neck as he addressed students and supporters at Utah Valley University.
The event was part of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” a speaking series focused on conservative values, free speech, and what Kirk described as the revitalization of American culture and politics.
The bullet proved instantly fatal. Witnesses described chaos erupting in the auditorium as students and attendees rushed for cover. Emergency medical personnel responded quickly but were unable to save the 31-year-old conservative leader.
National Shock and Political Response
Kirk’s assassination has drawn bipartisan condemnation from political leaders in Washington and across the country. Lawmakers from both parties called the act an assault on free speech, the democratic process, and political discourse in America.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox spoke publicly about the tragedy on Friday, confirming reports that investigators found anti-fascist slogans and other radical inscriptions linked to Robinson. “This is not just a Utah story — this is an American story,” Cox said. “Political violence cannot be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Former President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing grief and anger, calling Kirk “a warrior for America who was silenced by a cowardly act of violence.” President Joe Biden also condemned the killing, urging Americans to reject political violence of any kind.
A Young Family Devastated
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and the couple’s two young children. In a moving video statement released just days after the assassination, Erika vowed that her husband’s mission and movement would continue.
“They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and God’s merciful love,” she said. “But they unleashed something they could never imagine. The fire that was in my husband is now burning in me, and it will spread across this nation.”
Her comments quickly went viral, resonating with millions of Americans who viewed Kirk as a rising voice in conservative activism.
FBI Investigation: Next Steps
While Robinson is in federal custody, investigators are still piecing together the broader picture. Authorities are examining Robinson’s digital communications, financial records, and travel history. The FBI has also confirmed that it is exploring Robinson’s potential ideological motivations, including possible links to extremist groups.
Officials have cautioned that the investigation will take time. “Every lead, every relationship, every affiliation will be pursued,” one senior FBI official told reporters. “We are looking not just at the ‘how’ but at the ‘why.’”
Twiggs, Robinson’s partner, continues to cooperate, providing investigators with access to shared devices and correspondence. Sources say Twiggs was “devastated” by the news of the shooting and has been questioned extensively but is not considered a suspect.
Broader Implications
The assassination has reignited a national conversation about political violence, polarization, and security for high-profile public figures. Turning Point USA events, which frequently attract large student audiences, often faced protests from left-leaning groups, but Kirk’s killing represents an unprecedented escalation.
Security experts say universities and political organizations may need to rethink how they handle safety at campus events, especially in an era where lone actors can exploit open spaces. “The risk environment has changed,” said one former Secret Service agent. “Political rhetoric is heating up, and that raises the likelihood of violence.”
Remembering Charlie Kirk
Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, growing it into one of the most influential conservative student organizations in the United States. Known for his fiery speeches and social media presence, he became a prominent figure within the conservative movement, particularly among younger Americans.
Kirk often described his mission as “arming the next generation with truth” and sought to build a network of student activists committed to defending free speech, capitalism, and traditional values.
His death marks a devastating loss for supporters, who now look to his widow and the organization he built to carry his vision forward.
Conclusion
The FBI’s confirmation that Tyler Robinson was living with a transgender partner at the time of the assassination underscores the personal complexities surrounding the suspect even as the investigation pushes deeper into his motives.
What remains clear is that the killing of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through America’s political landscape. It has sparked grief, outrage, and renewed questions about the rising tide of political extremism.
As Robinson faces trial, the focus will remain not only on justice for Kirk’s family but also on whether the tragedy can serve as a catalyst for addressing the toxic climate that allowed such violence to erupt.
For now, the conservative movement mourns a leader, a wife grieves a husband, and two children face a future without their father — while the FBI continues its painstaking search for answers.