Suspect in Charlie Kirk Shooting Appeared to Confess on Discord

SHOCKING online confession from suspect rocks nation as his words are revealed amid coverage of all the known details concerning the Charlie Kirk assassination.

In a chilling new twist to the horrific assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, the 22-year-old believed to be responsible for Kirk's demise allegedly shared a staggering online confession roughly two hours before authorities took him into custody.

The suspect, Tyler Robinson, reportedly took to the online chat platform Discord and dropped a bombshell message to a small group of his friends in what appears to be a moment of cold, eerie candor. His words? As unsettling as they are unforgettable…

A Digital Confession Before the Cuffs Came Out

According to screenshots obtained by major outlets, including The Washington Post, and confirmed by two individuals familiar with the chat, Robinson wrote, "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all." He continued, "It was me at UVU yesterday. im [sic] sorry for all of this." The message was sent Thursday night — narrowly preceding Robinson's surrender to law enforcement.

Charlie Kirk's Final Moments Continue to Echo Across the Nation

With the nation still reeling from the brazen daylight shooting, this online message from the suspect adds yet another disturbing layer to an already shocking case. As questions continue to swirl, attention is also drawn to the broader events of that day — from the moments leading up to the shooting to the voices of those who witnessed it firsthand.

Alongside the raw details of Kirk's final words, political leaders from across the spectrum are also weighing in, framing the tragedy within a larger national conversation.

Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at 31 - Donald Trump & JD Vance Immediately Speak Out

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, prompting an investigation, eyewitness reports, and reactions from political leaders.

The violence erupted during Kirk's midday appearance, organized by the university's student chapter of TPUSA. Witnesses said they heard a single gunshot from a nearby building before security rushed him away and campus police cleared the courtyard. Kirk was the only person reported injured.

A UVU spokesperson later recounted the details, "We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon."

The university representative continued, "At about 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day and our campus police has a suspect in custody [sic]."

While the university sought to reassure the community, TPUSA confirmed Kirk's condition. "This is an ongoing situation,” said spokesperson Aubrey Laitsch. "We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time."

By late afternoon, hopes were dashed. The organization announced Kirk's death to their employees and supporters in a note, also shared with CNN, "It's with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven."

Attention soon turned to the investigation. Shortly after Kirk's tragic death, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said on X that the person initially detained in connection with the shooting had been questioned and released.

He also emphasized that the inquiry remains active and promised to provide continued updates in the interest of transparency.

With no suspect in custody at that time, a wider manhunt began — but an expert warned it would be difficult. CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said the attacker likely planned to move silently, remain unseen, fire a single shot, complete the mission, take the weapon, and leave little evidence behind.

The TV network's analyst also noted that the precision of the single shot suggested the attacker had prior firearms experience.

"This is someone who knew exactly what they were doing and is probably known to others, and this may be working to the advantage of law enforcement. As someone who has a long history in shooting, this wasn't an amateur," he explained.

Eyewitness accounts underscored the sense of shock. Jeremy King, 45, who stood about 15 feet from Kirk, said he was initially confused at the time, believing the gunshot might have been "part of an act or performance" tied to the discussion about gun rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

King's confusion turned to panic as Kirk collapsed. "Everyone around me dropped to the ground. I immediately stood over my wife. You don't know if this is a single shot or if it's going to turn into a mass shooting. And so you're scanning," he recalled.

He later saw Kirk's bodyguards react swiftly, adding, "At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up."

As the reality of Kirk's death set in, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. In an address, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a national tragedy.

"I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror," he said. He also described Kirk as a "martyr" and called the incident a "dark moment" in American history.

Meanwhile, the country's Vice President JD Vance mourned Kirk's death and echoed Trump's message by reposting it on X, amplifying the president's praise of Kirk as a "legendary" figure who deeply influenced young Americans.

Trump's post also included condolences to Kirk's wife and their family. Vance followed with a brief prayer for Kirk's peaceful eternal rest.

Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a formal proclamation ordering that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through September 14. The order applied to the White House, federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies worldwide.

Bystanders Describe the Tragic Scene

The shooter is believed to have taken a single, deadly shot from a rooftop nearly 200 yards away, targeting Kirk as he sat beneath a pop-up tent.

According to the university, the bullet came from a building across the quad. As of Thursday, the weapon had not been found, and the gunman remained at large, which left a community gripped with fear.

Wrong Man, Wrong Time: Police Arrest Innocents in the Aftermath

Adding to the growing controversy, two men were wrongfully arrested in the chaotic aftermath. One, described as an older man with white hair in a blue shirt, shouted "I'd do it again!" while being hauled away by officers, a disturbing outburst that turned heads.

But even that statement wasn't enough to link him to the killing, as authorities later confirmed he had no involvement.

The second arrest came after surveillance footage flagged a man in dark clothing, eerily matching witness descriptions of someone near the scene. He was quickly taken into custody, but suspicion would soon unravel.

That same evening, FBI Director Patel addressed the nation, announcing the man had been released after interrogation. He assured the public that the investigation remains active, vowing that federal authorities will keep the public informed every step of the way.

Mother Speaks Out After Son's Wrongful Arrest as Utah Governor Issues Grim Statement

The young man's mother spoke to The New York Post, describing her son as a devoted fan of Kirk and an ordinary student. "He's super shaken," she said. "He's a great kid… I have a picture of him. He's like 25 ft from Charlie on the other side that he [sic] was shot. He sent us a video. He was attending like any other college kid."

Utah's Governor Spencer Cox pulled no punches, calling the killing a "political assassination." He reminded citizens that capital punishment is still on the books in Utah, suggesting severe justice awaits the person behind this cold-blooded execution.

'We Thought It Was Fireworks': Teen Siblings Recall Terrifying Scene

Those present at the scene saw the exact moment the bullet struck, right after Kirk was asked about transgender mass shooters. They saw him recoiling in agony, the sound of the shot piercing the air.

Another video, now circulating online, seems to show a shadowy figure moving across a rooftop, while terrified students below sprint for cover.

Beck Dishman, 19, was at the event with his younger sister and thought the sound of the shot was just fireworks. He recalled Kirk as someone who welcomed open debate, even with those who challenged his views. But once the reality hit, he and his sister locked themselves in a bathroom, terrified.

The sister, just 17, described scenes of pandemonium and fear. Students ran into fountains, dove for cover, and desperately tried to reach their parents.

"Everybody was calling their parents, but the phone lines were down," she recalled. "People were crying. People were praying. I was like, 'OK, we're in here, we're gonna be OK,' but we had no idea what was going on."

Even though she didn't share all of his beliefs, Dishman's sister admitted Kirk was committed to student engagement. He encouraged platforms for all viewpoints and gave people a voice, no matter where they stood politically.

No Metal Detectors, No Bag Checks: Students Slam Lax Security

In the aftermath, serious questions are being asked about security. Will Buckley, a University of Utah freshman, said the gunshot was "very quiet," and there were no metal detectors or bag checks. The event had been held in a busy public space, making it an easy target for a sniper.

After the gunfire, the university ordered a full campus evacuation, urging everyone to leave immediately so law enforcement could secure the area and begin their investigation.

Charlie Kirk's Last Words Before His Death

The shocking incident, caught on video, shows the conservative commentator locked in a tense exchange with a member of the audience who raised a controversial question. He asked Kirk how many transgender Americans were disproportionately responsible for mass shootings.

Calm and composed, Kirk responded bluntly, "Too many." The same audience member pressed further, claiming the number of transgender mass shooters was just five.

He went on to ask another question that would become chillingly prophetic, "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?"

Without missing a beat, Kirk shot back with what would become his final words, "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Seconds later, a sharp pop pierced the air, and all hell broke loose.

The crowd screamed in terror as Kirk recoiled violently in his seat, struck by a bullet in front of the stunned audience.

Data Expert Backs Audience Claim Contradicting Kirk's Remarks

Kirk's final discussion has now been sharply rebutted — with the audience member's claim backed by none other than Mark Bryant, founding executive director of the Gun Violence Archive.

Despite the tense exchange moments before the fatal shooting, data shows that the overwhelming majority of mass attacks in the U.S. have no connection whatsoever to transgender individuals.

From January 2013 to the present, the U.S. has witnessed more than 5,700 mass shootings, defined as incidents where four or more victims were shot and killed. Just five of those attackers were confirmed to be transgender, according to Bryant's authoritative data.