In the wake of the tragic assassination of public figure Charlie Kirk, a series of Discord messages have surfaced, providing a chilling insight into the behavior of the prime suspect, Tyler Robinson. Approximately 34 hours after the incident, acquaintances of Robinson began sharing FBI surveillance images that bore a striking resemblance to him, sparking a conversation that would lead to his arrest on the same day.
The FBI images depicted a slender young man donning sunglasses and a cap, navigating a stairwell at Utah Valley University. The agency's call for public assistance in identifying the suspect set the stage for the consequential exchange on Discord. In the group chat, an acquaintance of Robinson's tagged him alongside the surveillance photos with a flippant "wya" and a skull emoji, implying that Robinson looked like the individual captured by the FBI.
Robinson was quick to dismiss the resemblance, claiming the man in the images was his "doppelganger" and jesting that this look-alike was out to incriminate him. The levity continued with another user jokingly accusing Robinson of being Kirk's killer. These interactions, later shared with The New York Times by a high school acquaintance who requested anonymity, painted a picture of Robinson's nonchalant demeanor in the aftermath of the assassination.
The Times' verification process confirmed the association between Robinson and the high school acquaintance, while also linking the Discord account in question to Robinson's other online profiles. Although Discord did not confirm the username, the evidence was compelling enough to inform the investigation. Prosecutors are set to formally charge Robinson, a 22-year-old whose engagement with current events and online activities was well-known among those who knew him. Despite his political engagement, public records indicate he was unaffiliated with any political party and had not participated in voting.
In the affidavit, investigators noted that Robinson had previously expressed disdain for Kirk during a conversation with a family member. The nature of these discussions could play a significant role in establishing a motive for the crime. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Robinson has secured legal representation.
The Discord chats also revealed a community engaging in dark humor, with references to the FBI's reward for information and high-profile arrests. Robinson's own contributions to the conversation included a macabre jest about disposing of a manifesto and a rifle, and a quip about the potential deployment of the National Guard in Utah. He even went as far as to post under his avatar—Jon Arbuckle from the Garfield comic strip—a bizarre claim that he was actually Charlie Kirk, faking his death to escape politics.
The arrest of Robinson marks a significant development in the case, but it is the Discord messages that offer a rare and disturbing window into the immediate reaction and behavior of an individual following a high-profile crime. As the legal proceedings commence, these exchanges will undoubtedly become a focal point in understanding the mindset of the accused.
