Suspect Tyler Robinson Returned to Crime Scene as Authorities Searched for Charlie Kirk's Killer, Prosecutors Say By Chris Spargo

Local, state and federal agents descended upon Orem, Utah in the hours after the assassination of Charlie Kirk to begin the search for his shooter.

Unbeknownst to the officers, deputies and agents scouring the site for clues that day, the suspected shooter was right under their nose.

Tyler Robinson fled the campus of Utah State University after allegedly firing the single fatal bullet that ended Kirk’s life, but he returned to try and retrieve his gun later that day, according to an information sheet filed by prosecutors and obtained by PEOPLE.

The firearm had been wrapped in a towel and hid in bushes located less than 500 feet from where Kirk had been shot just a few hours prior.

He returned despite the ongoing investigation and presence of law enforcement members, who at that time had not yet discovered the weapon.

This was revealed in a text exchange between Robinson and his transgender partner during which he allegedly admitted to shooting Kirk.

Robinson allegedly directed his partner to retrieve a note he left under his keyboard before he travelled the approximately 260 miles from St. George to Orem, according to the indictment, which read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

His partner — who based on all available evidence had no prior knowledge of Robinson’s alleged plan — did not believe Robinson at first and asked if he was joking.

Robinson responded and allegedly confessed to the shooting, said the indictment, while also revealing he was still at the crime scene.

“I am still ok my love, but am stuck in [O]rem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you,” he wrote in a text.

The “rifle” is the firearm he used to allegedly shoot Kirk — a family heirloom that was once owned by his grandfather and later gifted to Robinson by his parents, according to the indictment.

Robinson allegedly wrote in a subsequent text that he was surveilling the situation to figure out the best time to retrieve the rifle.

“I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. Its quiet, almost enough to get out, but theres one vehicle lingering,” Robinson texted his partner, per the indictment.

He later texted: “I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it.”

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In the end, Robinson did not manage to retrieve the rifle from the drop spot, telling his partner: “I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits. didn’t have the ability or time to bring it with. … I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints. how the fuck will I explain losing it to my old man.”

Investigators did find the gun and the towel, and prosecutors said at a Sept. 16 press conference that Robinson’s DNA was found on both.

His father also allegedly contacted him and asked that he send a photo to prove he still had the rifle after suspecting his son might be the shooter and learning authorities had found the weapon.

Robinson is now being held without bail at the Utah County Jail and on Sept. 16 was formally charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder.

Prosecutors said they will be seeking the death penalty in the case.