Texts from Charlie Kirk’s Killer Reveal Premeditation, Parental Fear, and Control, Prosecutors Say

Prosecutors on Tuesday disclosed the text messages exchanged between Tyler Robinson and his transgender partner, Lance Twiggs, as police closed in on the suspect in the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10. The communications, described in court filings and summarized by a psychology expert, suggest a premeditated killing and underscore a mindset shaped by fear of Robinson’s father and a need to control outcomes.

In the texts, Robinson allegedly directed Twiggs to drop what he was doing and look under a keyboard to find a note in which he confessed that he had the opportunity to kill Kirk and intended to take it. The partner reportedly responded with surprise, and the exchange then traced a plan that included retrieving a rifle and attempting to leave no evidence. Robinson purportedly told Twiggs that he would stay in Orem longer than expected and would need to grab the rifle before returning home.

The messages show Robinson describing the rifle as a critical piece of a plan to evade detection and expressing a belief that he could re-enter civilian life without consequences. He discussed the possibility of retrieving the firearm unseen and leaving no trace, a line of thinking that a communications expert who reviewed the texts said reflected delusion and a disregard for the seriousness of the violence just committed. The exchange also reveals Robinson referring to his partner as “my love,” a term Dr. Lillian Glass described as inappropriate in light of the context and the actions that followed, arguing that the line did not constitute genuine affection but was instead a performative or context-driven phrase.

Dr. Lillian Glass, a longtime communications expert who has testified in numerous criminal cases, analyzed the text-by-text sequence for the Daily Mail. She said the documents displayed a controlling pattern in how Robinson directed Twiggs, including instructions to delete the exchange, stay silent, and avoid talking to police without a lawyer. Glass also pointed to lines that suggested Robinson’s focus was largely on his own situation—the gun, the potential consequences for his father, and the fear of repercussions from a family that had political leanings diverging from his own actions. She noted that Robinson’s communications lacked genuine remorse and instead centered on self-preservation and the perception of a looming punishment from his father.

According to Glass, the text sequence indicates a controlling dynamic in which Robinson positions himself as the decision-maker and imposes conditions on Twiggs about how to respond to investigators. She observed a consistent emphasis on family dynamics, particularly the anticipated reaction of his father to losing the weapon. Glass said the emphasis on the father’s potential wrath, rather than concern about harming another person, pointed to a mindset driven by fear and a desire to manage outcomes rather than express remorse.

In the messages, Robinson also references political and personal identity tensions within his family. He notes that since his father supported MAGA after Donald Trump’s rise, the family environment had become politically charged, which Glass said likely contributed to the emotional complexity of the exchange. He even contemplates turning himself in to a neighbor who is a sheriff’s deputy, signaling a misalignment between his actions and the social expectations of his community.

The texts also reveal details about the aftermath of the shooting, including Robinson’s concern about how the incident would be portrayed on national media. He mentions the possibility of reporting on Fox News and brushes it off with concerns about his father rather than reflection on the act itself. Glass stressed that this focus on self-preservation and reputation underscores a broader pattern of rationalization rather than remorse.

The court appearance this week occurred virtually from the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, Utah, where Robinson looked down and appeared dazed as prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. While the defense has not released a detailed account of Twiggs’s role, Glass characterized the exchange as too intricate and specific to be easily explained away as fabrications or manipulation by the partner. She stated that the level of detail and the sequence of events described in the texts strongly suggested authenticity, not contrivance, and that the conversations would likely complicate any defense argument aimed at minimizing Robinson’s responsibility.

Prosecutors’ decision to pursue the death penalty reflects the severity of the crime and the breadth of evidence presented, including the public setting of the killing and the supposed premeditation evidenced in the text messages. As the investigation continues, authorities will examine how these personal communications may inform both the charging decision and any potential legal strategy related to Robinson’s trial and sentencing. The case remains a focal point of national attention due to the political prominence of Kirk and the broader implications surrounding violent acts linked to political discourse, as prosecutors and legal experts stress the importance of a thorough, fact-based process.

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