I wish I hadn't done it: Accused Charlie Kirk shooter confessed, roommate says
A Utah court heard a recording in which Tyler Robinson's partner said he expressed regret after Charlie Kirk's shooting. The testimony sharpens the prosecution case as the judge weighs whether the murder trial should proceed.
The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk broke down in tears, expressed regret over the killing and said he wished he had never done it, according to testimony presented in a Utah court on Thursday as prosecutors sought to move the high-profile murder case to trial.
The new details emerged during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who faces aggravated murder and other charges over the September 2025 killing of Kirk. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, according to Reuters.
The courtroom heard a recorded interview with Robinson's former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, who told investigators that Robinson admitted the shooting shortly after returning home and appeared remorseful.
ROOMMATE RECOUNTS ROBINSON'S ADMISSION
According to the video interview played in court, Twiggs confronted Robinson the morning after the shooting to confirm whether the confession he had sent by text message was true.
"I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before, and he said it was," Twiggs told prosecutors.
"He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn't done it."
Twiggs said Robinson had also planned to surrender to police following the shooting.
The interview formed a major part of the prosecution's effort to convince District Judge Tony Graf that enough evidence exists for Robinson to stand trial.
Robinson, who was studying to become an electrician at the time of the shooting, has not yet entered a plea.
The preliminary hearing has become a legal battle over which pieces of evidence can be presented in court. Judge Graf ordered portions of Twiggs' interview to be redacted after defence lawyers argued that some statements amounted to confessions that could prejudice future jurors.
Twiggs was granted immunity in exchange for cooperating with investigators and agreeing to the recorded interview instead of appearing in person during the hearing.
The court also reviewed text messages exchanged between Robinson and Twiggs in the hours after Kirk was killed.
Some portions of the livestream were muted while prosecutors presented evidence the judge ruled should not be broadcast publicly because of concerns about jury prejudice.
PROSECUTORS ALLEGE POLITICAL MOTIVE
One of the most significant pieces of evidence presented in court was a series of text messages that prosecutors say reveal Robinson's motive.
According to the messages, Twiggs asked Robinson why he had shot Kirk.
Robinson allegedly replied: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
Prosecutors argue the messages suggest Robinson targeted Kirk because of his conservative political views, including comments the activist had made about LGBTQ issues.
The defence has rejected that interpretation, arguing prosecutors are overstating the political motive behind the shooting. Defence lawyers have also sought to limit evidence relating to ideology, saying it could influence future arguments over whether Robinson should face the death penalty.
Twiggs told investigators that politics rarely came up during their relationship and that he had never heard Robinson discuss Charlie Kirk before the shooting.
DEFENCE QUESTIONS POLICE INVESTIGATION
Throughout the week-long hearing, Robinson's legal team has repeatedly challenged the prosecution's case.
His lawyers argued investigators failed to adequately examine whether someone else could have carried out the shooting. They also objected to several pieces of evidence introduced by prosecutors, saying they risked undermining Robinson's right to a fair trial before a jury is selected.
The court has spent days hearing arguments over witness statements, digital communications and other evidence prosecutors hope to use if the case proceeds to trial.
ERIKA KIRK ATTENDS HEARING
Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has attended the proceedings throughout the preliminary hearing.
Her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, urged the court to allow the complete interview with Twiggs and all available evidence to be played publicly.
"The Kirk family has waited 10 months for this hearing ... they have a right to hear the evidence," Neiman told the court.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead on September 10, 2025, while debating students before thousands of people at Utah Valley University. He was a prominent conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump.