Utah Governor Spencer Cox has revealed new details from the investigation into Tyler Robinson, the alleged shooter of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, suggesting the suspect was radicalized through online gaming and “dark internet” culture.
Appearing on several Sunday news programs, Cox stated that while Robinson is not cooperating with authorities, interviews with his family and friends have provided significant insight. The governor noted a behavioral shift in Robinson after he dropped out of Utah State University and moved to southern Utah. “Clearly, there was a lot of gaming going on,” Cox told NBC, citing friends who confirmed Robinson’s immersion in “that deep, dark internet, Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet.” The governor also pointed to evidence of “meme-ification” on the bullet casings found at the scene.
Cox clarified his previous comment that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” explaining this assessment came from the suspect’s conversations with friends. He added that Robinson, who comes from a conservative family, held an ideology “very different” from his relatives.
The investigation also uncovered that acquaintances were joking online with Robinson about FBI photos released during the manhunt. Cox confirmed these conversations, stating, “They did not believe it was actually him — it was all joking until he admitted that it actually was him.”
Cox, who appeared on CNN, NBC, and ABC, said he was sharing the new details about the investigation at the request of the White House.
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