Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Tyler Robinson, the man arrested in relation to the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, isn't cooperating with investigators and confirmed the suspect's alleged relationship with his transgender roommate, the New York Post reports.
Cox participated in several interviews on Sunday (September 14) providing more details on the ongoing FBI investigation, claiming Robinson, who was raised in a conservative household, was "deeply indoctrinated indoctrinated in leftist ideology."
“That information comes from the people around him — his family members and friends,” Cox said during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union. “There were conversations that were discussed specifically about Charlie Kirk.”
The Republican governor didn't elaborate on Robinson's specific beliefs, but had initially told the Wall Street Journal that he was "deeply indoctrinated." Cox also confirmed reports that Robinson's transgender roommate was "a romantic partner" who has been "incredibly cooperative" and was not aware of the suspect's planned attack.
“The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,” Cox told CNN. “This partner has been incredibly cooperative [and] had no idea that this was happening. And, he’s working with investigators right now.”
Robinson reportedly wrote, "Hey Fascist! Catch!," "Bella Ciao," and "If you read this, you are gay lmao," on bullet casings. Law enforcement sources had previously told multiple news outlets that Robinson was identified as the suspect prior to the governor's confirmation.
President Donald Trump announcement that the shooter was "in custody" Friday during an appearance on FOX & Friends, though not providing specific details on the suspect.
“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said during an interview with FOX & Friends Friday (September 12) morning.
‘Somebody who was very close to him turned him in,” he added, claiming the information was relayed to him through “a minister who was involved with law enforcement.”
"I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did — Charlie Kirk was the finest person and he didn't deserve this," Trump said.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during what was scheduled to be the first stop on his 'American Comeback Tour' on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday (September 10), with Trump, who later announced plans to posthumously award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, initially confirming his passing in a post shared on his Truth Social account.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Trump wrote.
Authorities had only released two photos and a video of the unidentified suspect prior to Trump's statement on FOX and Friends Friday morning. Robert Bohls, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City office, said the shooter "appears to be of college age" and "blended in" with the students of Utah Valley University, where the incident took place during a news conference Thursday morning via the Los Angeles Times.
Investigators collected footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis and Bohls claimed that authorities “are confident in our abilities to track that individual. Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012. The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers.
Kirk enthusiastically supported President Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.