The suspected assassin of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk is being held under “special watch” in custody and is being kept in a separate housing unit, a spokesperson for the Utah Sheriff’s Office said on Sunday.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, sheriff’s office spokesman Ray Ormond said that Tyler Robinson, 22, is “being housed in our special housing unit so that we can keep a close eye on him.”
“He will remain on a special watch status until cleared by mental health, which may take several days. After cleared by mental health, he will proceed through our classification process to determine the appropriate housing area,” Ormond continued.
Robinson will be monitored by custody, medical, and mental wellness staff throughout his detention at the facility, he said.
“This is done for various reasons ranging from: the types of crimes you’re booked on, behavioral issues, violent behavior, and/or suicidal comments made during the arrest. The special housing unit has more close supervision as does our special watch,” the spokesperson added.
Ormond said that he was not told whether Robinson made any suicidal comments or if there were any concerns about him killing himself.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said on Sunday that Robinson is “not cooperating” and that his friends paint a picture of someone radicalized on the internet who had left-wing political viewpoints.
“Clearly there was a lot of gaming going on,” Cox said on NBC in an interview Sunday. “Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep, dark internet, the Reddit culture, and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep.”
Cox stressed on several morning news shows, however, that investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on Kirk, a father of two and confidant to President Donald Trump, who was assassinated Sept. 10 during one of his signature college speaking tours at Utah Valley University. The governor said more information may come out once Robinson appears in court Tuesday.
The governor said the suspect’s partner is transgender, which some politicians have pointed to as a sign Robinson was targeting Kirk for his views opposing transgender medical interventions. Authorities have not confirmed whether it is relevant as they investigate Robinson’s motive.
“The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,” Cox told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “I can say that he has been incredibly cooperative, this partner has been very cooperative, had no idea that this was happening.”
Ammunition found with the weapon used to kill Kirk was engraved with taunting, anti-fascist, and meme-culture messages. Court records show that one bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” Another had lyrics of an anti-fascist song that was popularized during World War II but has been used by progressives in recent years.
“[Robinson] has not confessed to authorities,” Cox also told ABC News on Sunday. “He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think … that’s very important.”
Over the past weekend, Kirk’s widow, Erika, released a video statement and vowed to continue his work.
“The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” Erika Kirk said. “I have no idea what any of this means. But, baby, I know you do and so does our Lord. They have no idea what they just ignited within this wife. If they thought my husband’s mission was big now … you have no idea. You—all of you—will never, ever, forget my husband, Charlie Kirk. I’ll make sure of it.”
Turning Point USA, Kirk’s conservative group, will hold a memorial for him Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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