Utah Gov. Spencer Cox detailed how investigators believe Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, became radicalized through online gaming communities and what Cox described as “dark internet” culture.
Robinson, of Washington, Utah, sits in jail on suspicion of aggravated murder and other felony counts following Kirk’s death. Formal charges are expected to be filed early this week when Robinson makes his initial court appearance.
Speaking with the Journal, the governor suggested Robinson’s transformation occurred after he dropped out of Utah State University following just one semester in 2021. Robinson had arrived at the university with a $32,000 scholarship after maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school and scoring 34 out of 36 on his ACT exam.
“It seemed to happen kind of after that—after he moved back to the southern part of Utah,” Cox told NBC. “Clearly, there was a lot of gaming going on, friends that have confirmed that there was kind of that deep, dark internet, Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep.”
Cox referenced evidence found at the crime scene that included online culture influences. “You saw that on the casings. … the meme-ification that is happening in our society today,” he told CNN.
The assassination has prompted widespread reactions, leading to several employees being terminated from their jobs for controversial comments they made about Kirk’s death. Several organizations, including MSNBC, the Carolina Panthers, Office Depot, and DC Comics, terminated employees over inappropriate social media posts related to the killing.
Cox appeared on three Sunday news programs to talk about the aftermath and ongoing investigation.
A memorial service for Kirk is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has committed to continuing his campus tours and media programs.
