Tyler Robinson admits involvement in Charlie Kirk shooting on Discord

In early September 2025, in the United States, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old suspect, was involved in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. Just hours before being taken into custody, Robinson used the messaging platform Discord to message friends, taking responsibility for the shooting. He expressed remorse and stated he would surrender through a sheriff friend. Law enforcement sources indicated that messages exchanged on Discord detailed discussions about the crime and the weapon used. Robinson was reported to have communicated about stowing and retrieving a rifle, further implicating him in the act. The investigation revealed that prior to his arrest, Robinson had engaged in conversations with his friends about the shooting. Some friends noted that he somewhat jokingly acknowledged similarities between his appearance and the photos released by law enforcement. This banter took place in a group chat with over 20 individuals on Discord, which is popular with gamers and allows for discussions on various topics. Authorities were alerted to Robinson's confession after screenshots were shared with the media. Following his messages, Robinson’s father confronted him upon seeing FBI images identifying the suspect. After a brief discussion with family, Robinson confessed to being the person depicted and considered turning himself in to the police but expressed a preference for suicide. Ultimately, he surrendered late at night. The investigation surrounding Kirk's assassination raised concerns as it was noted that there had been multiple warning signs and indications of Robinson's ideological detachment regarding political topics prior to the incident. Discord's involvement in the investigation highlighted its role as a communication platform where Robinson shared sensitive details with friends. Despite criticism surrounding the platform’s management of potentially extreme content, Discord claimed it had not found any evidence that the suspect planned the incident or promoted violence through their service. The FBI is continuing to investigate multiple accounts on social media that suggest foreknowledge of the assassination. The broader implications focus on the need for monitoring online platforms to prevent the fostering of harmful ideologies and plans for violence, particularly among youth in the context of political turmoil.