UVU professor warns of new pattern of political violence after Charlie Kirk assassination

OREM, Utah — A Utah Valley University professor and former FBI agent warns that a new pattern of political violence appears to be targeting everyday citizens after the Sept. 10 assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus event in Orem, Utah.

Greg Rogers, who spent 30 years in the FBI including time as a SWAT sniper, told Fox News Digital that the killings represent a shift from attacks on political figures to murders of ordinary people connected to political views. He contrasted the incidents with historic cases involving presidents or candidates, saying the violence now seems to be directed at people simply living their lives, which he described as a troubling and increasingly frequent trend. The incident at Kirk’s event followed a separate set of security and memorial considerations for the famous conservative figure.

Authorities identified the suspect about 33 hours after the shooting as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old electrician apprentice who had recently drifted apart from his immediate family and became more politically engaged, according to court documents. Officials said he had begun to express support for more progressive stances on LGBTQ rights over the past year. In a text message to his roommate and his transgender partner, Robinson allegedly acknowledged the crime and wrote that he had had enough of what he described as Kirk’s hatred, adding that some hate cannot be negotiated out. He is believed to have communicated these sentiments on the gaming communications platform Discord as well.

Robinson surrendered to the Washington County sheriff, roughly 270 miles from the crime scene, about a day and a half after the slaying. Investigators say he also allegedly etched memes onto bullet casings used in the attack, a detail that Rogers said could offer insights for profilers studying the case. The same type of chilling symbolism has been noted in other recent acts of violence linked to political and ideological grievances.

Rogers, who spent years infiltrating extremist groups, said online spaces can become echo chambers that radicalize individuals who seek socialization and confirmation of their beliefs online rather than in traditional, real‑world communities. He cautioned parents to be vigilant about their children’s online interactions and gaming — including monitoring phone and internet use in constructive, noninvasive ways — as a means to counteract developing echo chambers.

The investigation into Kirk’s death has drawn heightened attention to the topic of political violence and the ways in which online networks may contribute to radicalization. Rogers noted that the rise of messaging apps and forums can accelerate the spread of extremist ideas, sometimes translating into acts of violence in the real world. He added that the case will likely be dissected by criminal profilers and researchers studying patterns of violence tied to political disagreements.

Kirk, 31, was a co‑founder of Turning Point USA, a national conservative youth organization with chapters on college campuses nationwide. UVU’s Utah Valley University chapter sponsored the event at which Kirk was speaking when the shooting occurred. In the days following the attack, campus security and public officials emphasized a continued commitment to safety on campus as investigators pursued leads. The incident also prompted discussions about campus event safety in higher education across the country.

As the case moved through the prosecutorial process, Robinson faced aggravated murder charges that carry the potential for the death penalty in Utah; federal charges could also be pursued depending on how investigators frame the crime and any cross‑jurisdictional aspects of the case. Authorities have not ruled out additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Federal officials designated the Charlie Kirk memorial with heightened security amid reports of threats, underscoring the continuing risk environment associated with high‑profile political figures and the rhetoric that surrounds their public exposure. At the same time, Kirk’s family and supporters prepared for a memorial service. In line with the notes accompanying the coverage, the memorial was expected to be attended by Kirk’s family, including his son Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with President Donald Trump and other Cabinet members, reinforcing the event’s national significance from a political perspective.

In the classroom, Rogers resumed teaching on the evening after the shooting, opening the session for discussion and reflection rather than delivering the planned lecture. He said the Kirk case will likely be a focal point for analysis by criminology students and profiler practitioners, given the way evidence such as social media activity, messaging and the ballistics details can illuminate the defendant’s psychology and motives.

Kirk’s death has reopened a broader national conversation about political rhetoric and violence. Whether the evolving patterns Rogers described signify a longer‑term trend remains to be seen, but authorities and experts say the early evidence points to a renewed focus on violence as a tool of political expression rather than solely a concern affecting political leaders. As investigators continue to piece together the timeline, the public and policymakers alike will be watching to see how cases like this influence security measures on campuses and in public spaces where political discourse frequently occurs.