The suspected assassin of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk reportedly begged police for a “peaceful” surrender as a condition for turning himself in, authorities said on Wednesday.
Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said at a press conference that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was afraid of being shot by police and asked for a “peaceful, gentle” surrender. The sheriff agreed to this condition, which led Robinson to turn himself in voluntarily.
“[Robinson] was fearful of a SWAT team hit on his house or he was fearful of being shot by law enforcement. So, part of the negotiation of getting him to bring himself in was that. That we would treat it as delicate and as soft as possible to make him feel comfortable to where he would show up at my office and that’s exactly what happened,” Brooksby said.
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A retired law enforcement official and friend of Brooksby’s called him on Friday evening to inform him that Robinson had confessed to committing the murder, the sheriff said. The friend knew Robinson and his family through a religious association.
Brooksby said he then called Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith to inform him of the plan to have Robinson turn himself in. Within the hour, the friend and Robinson’s parents drove the suspect to his office, where he met with detectives.
Since they were not the lead agency, Robinson then waited at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for about two and a half hours before federal agents arrived. Brooksby’s office did not question Robinson during that time.
Robinson’s father confronted his son after recognizing him in the photographs released by the FBI in Salt Lake City. The alleged assassin confessed to the murder and threatened to commit suicide rather than turn himself in. His father persuaded his son to speak with Brooksby’s friend, a youth pastor who previously worked with the U.S. Marshal fugitive task force, who in turn contacted Brooksby.
The suspect’s parents told authorities that Robinson had been more political in recent years, particularly becoming “more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” Robinson lived with his transgender boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, who reportedly “hates conservatives and Christians,” according to the New York Post.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
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