Utah governor says alleged Kirk shooter not cooperating with authorities

[ad_1] Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, stated Sunday that the suspect within the capturing that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk shouldn't be cooperating with authorities.

"He has not confessed to, to authorities. He's, he's, he's not cooperating, however, however, however all of the individuals round him are cooperating. And I believe that is, that is, that is crucial," Cox informed ABC Information' "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz.

Authorities recognized Kirk's alleged shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who now stays in custody. Expenses are anticipated to be formally filed on Tuesday, Cox stated.

Cox was additionally requested a few Sunday New York Occasions report that alleged Robinson had communicated with others on Discord after the capturing. The Occasions reported Robinson had made jokes about being the alleged gunman.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox seems on ABC Information' "This Week" on Sept. 14, 2025

ABC Information

"All we are able to verify is that these conversations undoubtedly had been taking place, and they didn't imagine it was really him. It was, it was all joking till, till he, you recognize, till he admitted that it really was him," he stated.

Authorities are reviewing a bunch chat between a number of individuals joking about how the shooter seemed like Robinson, a number of regulation enforcement sources informed ABC Information.

The messages had been exchanged on Discord within the hours after the capturing, in keeping with sources who informed ABC Information that one of many contributors within the chat is believed to be Robinson, who allegedly made a remark within the chat in regards to the killer being his "doppelganger."

In a press release to ABC Information on Friday, a Discord spokesperson stated, "[W]e recognized a Discord account related to the suspect however have discovered no proof that the suspect deliberate this incident or promoted violence on Discord. The messages referenced in current reporting about planning particulars don't look like Discord messages. These had been communications between the suspect’s roommate and a pal after the capturing, the place the roommate was recounting the contents of a observe the suspect had left elsewhere."

The Utah governor, who has been the general public face of the investigation, additionally addressed stories Saturday that the suspect's roommate is transitioning from male to feminine.

Cox beforehand informed the Wall Avenue Journal that Robinson was "deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology." Requested if investigators have uncovered proof to indicate that, Cox replied, "Effectively, up to now that -- that has come from his acquaintance and his members of the family. That is the place that preliminary info has come from. Definitely, there will likely be rather more info that's launched within the charging paperwork as they're bringing all of that collectively."

Cox stated there will likely be "a lot, rather more info" revealed within the coming days when prices are filed. The governor urged Individuals to decide on kindness in a time of excessive political stress.

"These are very tragic circumstances that affect all of us," Cox stated.

Listed below are extra highlights from Cox's interview and people with Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah:

On Trump not speaking about political violence in opposition to Democrats Raddatz: President Trump stated nothing in regards to the political violence in opposition to Democrats. In truth, he blamed the novel left. What's your response to that? Is that one thing you suppose he ought to be doing?

Cox: Effectively, look, President Trump may be very indignant and, Charlie is his shut private pal. There may be loads of anger, loads of anger on the appropriate, on my facet of the aisle. And I've actually felt that. And on this case, it does seem that that is true. Once more, extra, extra info is coming and we'll study extra over time.

You recognize, I do not know that that that issues as a lot because the the radicalization piece. I introduced up the, the Democrats who had been assassinated not too long ago. And the way rapidly we transfer on from these items. However, however the physique rely is, is piling up. And so I am so involved about this radicalization piece. And that is what we're attempting to grasp. Once more, this individual made a alternative, and it was this individual's alternative. And this individual will likely be held accountable.

Cox on methods to get out of the 'darkish place' the nation is in Cox: Proper now, we're in a darkish place. Everyone will get that, I believe, and we've selections and we in my political philosophy and my, and my spiritual philosophy, we imagine in company, that all of us will get to make our personal choices ... Each one among us has to decide. Are we going to hate our neighbor? Are we going to hate the opposite facet? Are we going to return violence with violence? Or are we going to discover a totally different path? Are we going to get out of these social media, these darkish locations of the web the place the battle entrepreneurs reside, who're praying upon us, these, these firms with trillion greenback market caps who're utilizing dopamine similar to fentanyl, to addict us to their product and, and lead us once more -- these algorithms -- lead us to extra outrage. Can we put that apart? Can we go and serve our fellow human beings? Can we do some good in our neighborhood? Can we hug a member of the family? Can we discuss to a neighbor that we disagree with? That is, that is as much as us. And that is the one manner out of this. There may be nothing else we are able to do to, to unravel this, this darkish chapter in our historical past.

Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., seems on ABC Information' "This Week" on Sept. 14, 2025.

ABC Information

Polis on the nation's political division Raddatz: How did we get to those moments?

Polis: I believe, as Governor Cox stated, it actually is a vital reflection level. Violence in political theater, in our colleges, on school campuses, is unacceptable. It is fantastic, and we should always even have a good time, having totally different opinions on issues, proper? Charlie Kirk's catchphrase, "show me fallacious," encouraging peaceable debate, dialogue.

Nevertheless it's fallacious to resort to violence and killing. And I believe that is a message we have to reemphasize on this age when generally there's to many conflicting messages on the market. We have to converse unequivocally, have a good time our variations. They need to result in dialogue, not violence.

Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, seems on ABC Information' "This Week" on Sept. 14, 2025.

ABC Information

Curtis on the pervasiveness of political violence Curtis: If it had been as much as me, I believe you must take the phrase "radical" and take away "proper" or "left," and radical coming from any path shouldn't be good, it isn't wholesome, and it ought to be referred to as out. And that is, that is my mission, is to say, look, this to me, that is this isn't proper. This isn't left. We're speaking about radicals, and that is the place we have to put our consideration...

Raddatz: Senator, how do you suppose we received thus far on this nation with a lot political violence?

Curtis: You recognize, I used to be -- you talked about I dwell not removed from the college. I used to be mayor of Provo, Utah, proper subsequent to it. I do know you recognize the place that's. That was only a decade in the past, and it wasn't like this.

And I believe a lot of issues have come alongside. I do not suppose COVID helped. I believe -- we've to look actually exhausting. I discussed social media earlier than. I believe we've to look actually exhausting at what's simply occupying almost 100% of mind weight of not simply the youth, however of all generations, and what's coming throughout, and really what we're permitting to return throughout, and there is simply zero legal responsibility for what individuals are placing on the market. And I simply suppose that is if we'll repair this, we've to look actually exhausting at that.