A social media photo of the alleged shooter of Charlie Kirk.
Share and Follow

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has opened up about potential motives of the alleged Charlie Kirk shooter, pointing to gaming and “dark internet” culture as potential factors.

Meanwhile, investigators are also looking into if the fact the roommate of Tyler Robinson, Kirk’s alleged shooter, was a romantic partner of Robinson and transitioning from male to female, was a factor in last week’s assassination.

“Yes. I can confirm that. I know that has been reported, and that the FBI has confirmed that as well – that the roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,” Cox said in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union.

A social media photo of the alleged shooter of Charlie Kirk.
A social media photo of the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. (Obtained by CNN)

The roommate, Cox added, “has been incredibly cooperative, had no idea that this was happening, and is working with investigators right now”.

Asked by Bash whether the roommate’s status was relevant to the investigation and a potential motive, Cox said it was “easy to draw conclusions” but declined to speculate.

“I know everybody wants to know exactly why, and point the finger. And I totally get that,” Cox said.

Women pray at a memorial outside Utah Valley University after Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“I do too, and so I just want to be careful, as I haven’t read all of the interview transcripts, and so we’ll have to wait and see what comes out.”

Cox further elaborated on how investigators have determined that Robinson had been radicalized, pointing to gaming and “dark internet” culture as potential factors that contributed to a shift.

Cox suggested things changed for Robinson after he dropped out of Utah State University.

“It seemed to happen kind of after that — after he moved back to the southern part of Utah. 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. You saw that on the casings. … the meme-ification that is happening in our society today,” he told NBC.

In an interview with ABC’s “This Week” with Martha Raddatz, Cox also confirmed reports that acquaintances were joking online with Robinson about photos released by the FBI during the manhunt.

“Those conversations definitely were happening. And they did not believe it was actually him — it was all joking until he admitted that it actually was him,” he said.

Official charges, Cox said, will be filed tomorrow.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
China's Xi in the limelight at Pacific summit with Trump conspicuous by his absence

Xi Takes Center Stage at Pacific Summit as Trump Sits Out

Pacific leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping, have converged in South Korea…
Melbourne man allegedly fell asleep at the wheel at drive-through

Shocking Incident: Melbourne Man Dozes Off at Drive-Through – A Wake-up Call for Safe Driving!

A man in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb found himself in hot water after…
From beaches to ski slopes, how cameras keep watch all over China

China’s Surveillance Network: From Coastal Shores to Mountain Peaks

China has established the most extensive surveillance network in the world, deploying…

Australia Implements New Aged Care Reforms as Concerns Mount Over System Strain

Once-in-a-generation aged care reforms have taken effect, promising to improve the quality…
Raiders star Papalii has intimidation court case halted

Legal Drama Unfolds: Raiders’ Papalii’s Intimidation Case Hits a Standstill

In a significant legal development, the charges against Canberra Raiders player Josh…
A 14-year-old boy has been injured in a fight that erupted as families celebrated Halloween on a residential street in Melbourne's west.

Melbourne Halloween Festivities Marred by Teen Injured in Street Altercation

A 14-year-old boy has been injured in a fight that erupted as…
Andrew's problems not solved yet, even after being stripped of prince title

Andrew’s Troubles Continue Despite Loss of Royal Title

No individual stands above the monarchy, not even the King’s own brother.…
A man was struck by a suspected meteorite while driving on a remote highway in South Australia, leaving experts completely baffled.

Meteorite Hits Man’s Tesla on Secluded Australian Highway

A man in South Australia experienced a shocking encounter with what is…