The alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk appeared to take responsibility for the shooting on the messaging platform Discord, a company spokesperson has confirmed to CBS, the BBC's US partner.
According to the spokesperson, Tyler Robinson, 22, messaged friends in a chat on Discord hours before he was arrested last week in connection with Kirk's shooting at an event at Utah Valley University.
It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this, reads a message from an account that allegedly belongs to Robinson, according to the spokesperson and a law enforcement source.
Robinson, who has not yet been formally charged, is due to appear in court on Tuesday.
Arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, he could face the death penalty.
The Discord messages which are said to be from Robinson were first reported by the Washington Post and are thought to have been written and posted toward the end of a manhunt for Kirk's killer that lasted more than a day.
Charlie Kirk, 31, a controversial figure in US politics and a trusted ally of President Donald Trump, was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday at an open-air event held by Turning Point USA - the organization he co-founded - when he was hit in the neck by a single bullet.
The killing of the popular social media personality sparked outrage, with leaders from both sides of the aisle accusing each other of spreading hateful rhetoric. Utah's Governor Spencer Cox stated that Robinson had confessed to his father about Kirk's killing and was persuaded to hand himself in.
Law enforcement sources have told CBS News that Robinson and his friends bantered about the shooting before his arrest in a group chat on Discord involving more than 20 people.
The spokesperson for the platform said an internal investigation had found no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord.
Robinson is said to have been questioned in the group about whether he was the gunman, which he did not appear to reject, and there were also jokes from a group member about him needing to avoid McDonald's, referencing another alleged shooting incident.
Messages from the account thought to belong to Robinson also suggest that he was planning to surrender, reading: I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments, thanks for all the good times and laughs, you've all been so amazing, thank you all for everything. Investigators have yet to find a concrete motive for the killing.
Cox claimed Robinson is deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology, while family records indicate he had previously registered as a nonpartisan voter. However, during discussions with his family, Robinson had notably mentioned Kirk's upcoming event.
As investigations continue, authorities are examining Robinson's social media interactions to determine if anyone else was involved in the shooting or aware of his intentions.
