Crime
Charlie Kirk Suspect Tyler Robinson Confessed in Discord Chat Before Surrender, “It Was Me at UVU Yesterday”
The 22-year-old suspect accused in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk allegedly confessed to friends in an online chat shortly before surrendering to law enforcement, according to two individuals familiar with the conversation and screenshots obtained by investigators.
Messages reviewed from the social platform Discord show an account belonging to Tyler Robinson posting a striking admission on Thursday evening.
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” Robinson’s account wrote. “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.”
The message was sent around 7:57 p.m. local time in Utah, roughly two hours before officials confirmed Robinson turned himself in to authorities.
A member of the group chat, which reportedly included about 30 people, provided screenshots of the exchange and confirmed that the account belonged to Robinson.
The individual, who requested anonymity due to fears of harassment, said the group had been reacting in real time to news of Kirk’s shooting at Utah Valley University the day prior.
“Charlie Kirk got shot,” one user wrote Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the incident.
“I just saw the video, holy s—,” another added about 90 minutes later. “Bro didn’t deserve to go out like that, sad.”
Robinson’s account did not respond to those comments until the following day when he issued what appeared to be a farewell.
“I’m surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments,” he continued. “Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You’ve all been so amazing. Thank you all for everything.”
Law enforcement has not yet publicly commented on the authenticity of the Discord messages, though investigators are examining Robinson’s online activity as part of the ongoing case.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.