Kirk Suspect Negotiated ‘Gentle’ Surrender, Was Afraid Of Being Shot: Sheriff

New details have emerged about how Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, was brought into custody after days on the run.

At a Wednesday press conference, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby explained that a tip from a former law enforcement colleague ultimately led to Robinson’s peaceful surrender.

Robinson, according to Brooksby, wrestled with suicidal thoughts in the hours before turning himself in but was convinced by his family not to go through with it.

“He was fearful of a SWAT team hit on his house, or he was fearful of being shot by law enforcement,” Brooksby said. “So part of the negotiation in getting him to bring himself in was 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 added that Robinson specifically requested a “peaceful, gentle, comfortable transition.” When he finally arrived at the sheriff’s office, he was described as “quiet and somber.” Deputies did not interrogate him while waiting for lead investigators to arrive.

Family and Lover Under Scrutiny

The sheriff confirmed that Robinson’s live-in romantic partner, Lance Twiggs—a transgender man who lived with him in St. George, Utah—has been moved to a “safe space very far away” as the investigation continues. Out-of-county officers are now questioning Twiggs’ associates.

Brooksby also noted that Robinson’s family played a critical role in persuading him to surrender, despite learning of his intent to commit suicide in a remote area of Washington County.

A relative of Robinson told Fox News that Twiggs had radicalized him. “He hates conservatives and Christians. He hated us. He was not raised that way, but he, over the years, has become really detached [and] been radicalized,” the family member said.

“He has obviously gotten progressively worse the last year or two,” the relative added, describing Robinson as “always very angry.”

The Call That Changed the Case

Brooksby said the tip came at 8:02 p.m. on Thursday from a former officer he knew personally.

“I could tell his voice was kind of shaky, so my first thought is, ‘Who died?’” Brooksby recalled. “And then I couldn’t fathom what actually came out of his mouth. So he said, ‘Hey, I know who Charlie Kirk’s shooter is. I know the family through religious association, and he’s in Washington County now. And we’re working to get him to come in voluntarily.’”

That call set in motion the negotiations that brought Robinson into custody without incident.

Facing the Death Penalty

Robinson has been formally charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime in the presence of a child.

Utah prosecutors have already announced they will seek the death penalty.

As details continue to emerge, the picture is becoming clearer: Robinson’s radical leftist worldview—fueled by anger, hatred of conservatives, and a destructive relationship—drove him to assassinate one of the conservative movement’s most influential young leaders.