Utah Governor faces backlash after saying he 'hoped' Charlie Kirk's shooter was an outsider
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 15, 2025, 20:33 IST
Utah Governor Spencer Cox sparked controversy after expressing relief the Charlie Kirk shooter wasn’t a Utah native, calling it “one of us.” Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested after the fatal attack on Kirk during a campus event. Cox condemned the killing as an assault on American ideals, while political debate intensifies nationwide.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has been put in the spotlight after his comments regarding the suspect in the recent attack on conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Cox had initially hoped that the shooter would not be a Utah native, saying he had "prayed" the gunman would be an outsider or even an immigrant, comments which have drawn hostile responses online.
Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, was shot and murdered while speaking to an open event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The event was a component of his 'American Comeback Tour,' where he traveled across the nation visiting campuses. The attack took place right before the eyes of witnesses and was sharply condemned by public officials.
The 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, a resident of Utah, was arrested late Thursday night following a 33-hour manhunt. During a Friday press conference, Cox was impressed by the rapid police response but confessed that he was disappointed to learn that the suspect was from within the state. "For 33 hours, I was praying that it would not be one of us," he stated. "That someone had traveled from another state or another country. Unfortunately, that prayer was not heard."
In a later interview with ABC News, Governor Cox reiterated that Robinson has not cooperated with the authorities. "He has not admitted to the crime. He's not speaking. But individuals who are around him are cooperating," Cox said. The governor also responded to reports of disturbing messages by Robinson on the social messaging app Discord, where he made jokes about being the shooter right after the shooting occurred. "It was all joking, until he said it actually was him," Cox said.
Robinson is held at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork. He was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a weapon. FBI sources and jail officials have also confirmed that the attack was planned.
During the Friday press conference, Cox appeared with FBI Director Kash Patel and characterized the shooting as "an attack not just on an individual, but on American ideals." He highlighted that political violence of this sort is extremely hurtful to the democratic fabric of the nation. "This is an attack on the American experiment itself," Cox cautioned.
The governor's first remark that he hoped the shooter was an immigrant has attracted online criticism, with opponents accusing him of shifting attention and politicizing the incident. One Twitter user said, "The fact that the shooter was a straight white man from a Republican family broke their hearts. Watch them flip to mental health to avoid gun law conversations."
As the investigation itself rumbles on, the wider political significance of the attack and of Cox's comments, continues to be the focus of furious national discussion. In the meantime, plans are being made for Kirk's funeral, to which a number of senior conservatives are to attend, including President Donald Trump.
Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, was shot and murdered while speaking to an open event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The event was a component of his 'American Comeback Tour,' where he traveled across the nation visiting campuses. The attack took place right before the eyes of witnesses and was sharply condemned by public officials.
The 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, a resident of Utah, was arrested late Thursday night following a 33-hour manhunt. During a Friday press conference, Cox was impressed by the rapid police response but confessed that he was disappointed to learn that the suspect was from within the state. "For 33 hours, I was praying that it would not be one of us," he stated. "That someone had traveled from another state or another country. Unfortunately, that prayer was not heard."
In a later interview with ABC News, Governor Cox reiterated that Robinson has not cooperated with the authorities. "He has not admitted to the crime. He's not speaking. But individuals who are around him are cooperating," Cox said. The governor also responded to reports of disturbing messages by Robinson on the social messaging app Discord, where he made jokes about being the shooter right after the shooting occurred. "It was all joking, until he said it actually was him," Cox said.
Robinson is held at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork. He was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a weapon. FBI sources and jail officials have also confirmed that the attack was planned.
During the Friday press conference, Cox appeared with FBI Director Kash Patel and characterized the shooting as "an attack not just on an individual, but on American ideals." He highlighted that political violence of this sort is extremely hurtful to the democratic fabric of the nation. "This is an attack on the American experiment itself," Cox cautioned.
The governor's first remark that he hoped the shooter was an immigrant has attracted online criticism, with opponents accusing him of shifting attention and politicizing the incident. One Twitter user said, "The fact that the shooter was a straight white man from a Republican family broke their hearts. Watch them flip to mental health to avoid gun law conversations."
As the investigation itself rumbles on, the wider political significance of the attack and of Cox's comments, continues to be the focus of furious national discussion. In the meantime, plans are being made for Kirk's funeral, to which a number of senior conservatives are to attend, including President Donald Trump.