Legal authorities in Utah announced in a Friday morning press conference that they have arrested a suspect in the slaying of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk: 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah. And, despite early rumors that “transgender ideology” had been engraved on the bullets he used, the state’s governor is saying that anti-gay messages were actually engraved.

Robinson allegedly confessed or implied to a family member that he had committed the murder, Utah Gov. Chris Cox (R) said. Robinson’s family members conveyed this information to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Family members said Robinson had “become more political” in recent years, had mentioned Kirk’s scheduled appearance in Utah, and expressed a dislike of Kirk’s views, which he said were “full of hate.”

Related

No, I won’t be shedding any tears for Charlie Kirk

Cox acknowledged speculation about “writing on bullet casings,” after the Wall Street Journal rescinded its report yesterday that the bullet casings retrieved at the scene of the crime had engravings expressing “transgender and anti-fascist ideology.” Cox said that police recovered the rifle allegedly used in the shooting and said that several discovered bullet casings had the following engraved messages: “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?” “Hey fascist, catch!” “Oh bella ciao,” and, “If you read this, you are gay, LMAO.”

Kirk, the conservative founder and president of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck and killed during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University, while answering a question about the very low number of transgender mass shooters.

Never Miss a Beat

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.