The alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk appeared to take responsibility for the shooting on the messaging platform Discord, a company spokesperson has confirmed to CBS, the BBC's US partner.
According to the spokesperson, Tyler Robinson, 22, messaged friends in a chat on Discord hours before he was arrested last week in connection with Kirk's shooting at an event at Utah Valley University.
It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this, reads a message from an account that allegedly belongs to Robinson, according to the spokesperson and a law enforcement source.
Robinson, who has not yet been formally charged, is due to appear in court on Tuesday.
Arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, he could face the death penalty.
The Discord messages, which are said to be from Robinson, were first reported by the Washington Post and are thought to have been written and posted towards the end of a manhunt for Kirk's killer that lasted more than a day.
Charlie Kirk, 31, a controversial figure in US politics and a trusted ally of President Donald Trump, was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday at an open-air event held by Turning Point USA - the organization he co-founded - when he was hit in the neck by a single bullet.
The killing of the popular social media personality sparked outrage, with Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of spreading hateful rhetoric, along with a widespread search for his killer. Utah's Governor Spencer Cox stated that Robinson had been arrested after confessing about Kirk's killing to his father and being persuaded to hand himself in.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that Robinson and his friends bantered about the shooting before his arrest in a group chat on Discord involving more than 20 people.
The spokesperson for the platform stated that an internal investigation by Discord had found no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord.
Robinson is said to have been questioned in the group about whether he was the gunman, which he did not appear to reject, and there were also jokes from one group member about him needing to avoid McDonald's, which is where an alleged killer of another prominent figure was arrested.
Evidence purportedly shows that Robinson was planning to turn himself in. Messages from the account thought to belong to him included, im surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments, thanks for all the good times and laughs, you've all been so amazing, thank you all for everything.
Governor Cox previously noted that Robinson was deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” although public records indicate that he had registered as a nonpartisan voter in Utah.
Investigators continue to search for motives behind the shooting, with some alleging an organized campaign behind the assassination, although no evidence has surfaced suggesting Robinson was acting as part of a group.
Kirk was a prominent conservative voice, rallying support for gun rights, opposing abortion, and critiquing transgender rights while attracting both fervent supporters and detractors.
