After Charlie Kirk’s Murder, Suspect Joked That His Look Alike Did It| Crime Alert 6AM 09.15.25

Summary

---

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: After Charlie Kirk’s Murder, Suspect Joked That His Look Alike Did It | Crime Alert 6AM 09.15.25
Date: September 15, 2025

---

Overview

In this episode of Crime Stories, Nancy Grace delivers a detailed update on the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, focusing on developments in the investigation, insights into the suspect Tyler Robinson’s background and online activity, and revealing conversations among acquaintances of Robinson in the aftermath of the crime. The episode also briefly highlights a separate, shocking road rage shooting involving a film actor.

---

Main Story: Charlie Kirk Assassination

1. Latest Developments and Suspect Profile

[00:06 - 01:52]

• Utah Governor Spencer Cox provides an update, revealing that the motive behind Charlie Kirk’s killing is still officially undetermined, though evidence points toward a political motivation rooted in left-wing ideology.

• Suspect: Tyler Robinson, 22, is identified as a “normal” and highly intelligent young man—a former Utah State University student who dropped out after less than one semester.

• Cox details how Robinson’s personality reportedly shifted after leaving university, including spending significant time gaming and participating in fringe online communities, especially on Reddit and similar forums.

• Authorities observe a pattern of “radicalization,” as Robinson delved into “the deep dark Internet… Reddit culture and these other dark places.”

  “Clearly there was a lot of gaming going on. Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep dark Internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places...”
  — Governor Spencer Cox [01:14]

• Robinson’s ammunition casings apparently featured cryptic engravings. Cox admits he couldn’t decipher many inscriptions, suggesting a connection to “memeification” in online subcultures.

  “I didn’t have any idea what those inscriptions… even meant but they are… certainly the memeification that is happening in our society today.”
  — Governor Spencer Cox [01:31]

---

2. Motive, Online Activity, and Personal Life

[01:52 - 05:55]

• Investigators continue seeking the true motive but note:

  • Robinson was regularly engaged in online gaming and isolated online spaces.
  • He is described as having a romantic partner who is transgender (transitioning from male to female), prompting some speculation about whether Kirk’s anti-transgender rhetoric may have played a role—although this link has not been confirmed by authorities.
  • Robinson’s partner is cooperating with police and had no knowledge of the planned attack.

  “The roommate was a romantic partner transitioning from male to female and emphasized that this partner has been cooperating with law enforcement and was unaware of the impending attack.”
  — Governor Spencer Cox [02:49]

• Robinson is registered to vote but unaffiliated with any party and marked as inactive, while his parents are registered Republicans.

---

3. Discord Chat Reveals Suspect’s Reaction to Manhunt

[03:30 - 05:55]

• Incident Timeline:

  • The day after Kirk’s assassination, Robinson’s acquaintances in a Discord group chat (around 20 members) recognize his resemblance to FBI-released surveillance images and tag him in the chat.

  • Robinson responds jokingly about the resemblance:

    “He looks like me. He’s trying to get me in trouble.”
    — Tyler Robinson [Approx. 04:40]

  • Another chat member suggests turning him in for the $100,000 FBI reward.

  • Discord messages, later shared with the New York Times, reveal Robinson monitoring media reports about “trans stuff” being inscribed on the ammunition, but he notes official confirmation was lacking.

    “I heard the ammo had something about trans stuff on it, but they aren’t releasing photos or exact quotes… and also the claim wasn’t backed by the official FBI. Some dude in a briefing room, that’s all he said.”
    — Tyler Robinson [Approx. 05:12]

• After Robinson’s arrest (about 34 hours after the shooting), chat members express disbelief:

  “Our governor wants to give him the death penalty.”
  — Discord group member [05:34]

  “I truly can’t distinguish if this is real or not.”
  — Discord group member [05:40]

• Robinson remains in custody and is slated for a court appearance on Tuesday.

---

Secondary Story: Road Rage Shooting Involving Actor

[07:33 - 08:59]

• In New Jersey, actor Ernest Hines, 46, is arrested after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during a road rage incident.

• The victim, despite serious injuries, manages to describe Hines to authorities.

• Hines flees and causes a significant lockdown at Stockton University before being apprehended.

• His IMDb credits include movies such as The Prestige and a recent film with Leonardo DiCaprio.

  “He fit the description and we have numerous pieces of evidence linking this man to the crime.”
  — Captain D Espisodo [08:40]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Clearly there was a lot of gaming going on. Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep dark Internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places…"
  — Governor Spencer Cox, discussing Robinson’s radicalization [01:14]
• "He looks like me. He’s trying to get me in trouble."
  — Tyler Robinson, joking about resemblance to suspect in FBI video [04:40]
• "Our governor wants to give him the death penalty."
  — Discord group member, expressing shock post-arrest [05:34]

---

Conclusion

This episode brings together official updates, investigative insights, and revealing social media exchanges to paint a nuanced—and troubling—picture of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Nancy Grace and her reporting team offer both factual details and the social undertones shaping the narrative, illustrating issues of online radicalization, the influence of internet subcultures, and the evolving nature of modern motive in political crimes. The rapid dissemination and discussion of the case across Discord chat gives listeners a rare window into the suspect’s own post-crime mindset as well as the uncertainty and disbelief among his peers.

For ongoing updates and more crime stories, listeners are encouraged to visit crimeonline.com.

---

Transcript

[A]

Crime Alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now straight out to Nicole Parton for the latest.

[B]

NANCY Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated on Sunday that investigators are still unable to disclose the motive behind the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. Cox revealed that the suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, holds a left wing political belief and harbored animosity toward Kirk due to his conservative stance. He noted that Robinson is currently uncooperate operative while in custody. Clearly we see a leftist ideology at play, cox commented during an interview with NBC's Meet the Press. He elaborated in a separate discussion on CNN State of the Union, mentioning that insights about the suspect's views were gathered from his acquaintances and family.

[C]

We do know and again this is, this has been well publicized that this was a, a very normal young man, a very, a very smart young man for a student. I think a 34 on went to my alma mater Utah State University but was only there for a very short amount of time. I dropped out after, after less than one semester and it seemed to happen kind of after that after, after he had, he had moved back to the southern part of Utah. Clearly there was a, there was a lot of gaming going on. Friends that have confirmed that there was kind of that deep dark Internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places of the where, where, where this person was was going deep and you saw that on the, on the casings I think, I mean I didn't have any idea what the, what those inscriptions, many of those inscriptions even meant but they are, you know, certainly the memeification that is happening in our society today.

[B]

Cox described Robinson as someone who has become radicalized spending time in various online communities. According to him, quote, there has been significant engagement with online gaming and the darker corners of, with friends, indicating that he was involved in communities associated with Reddit and similar platforms. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the attack that resulted in Kirk's death as he spoke at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Cox also acknowledged reports about the suspect's partner being transgender, which some politicians have suggested could relate to Robinson's motive against Kirk's anti trans sentiments. Nevertheless, authorities have not confirmed the relevance of this information to their investigation. Cox stated, quote, the roommate was a romantic partner transitioning from male to female and emphasized that this partner has been cooperating with law enforcement and was unaware of the impending attack. Investigators have engaged with Robinson's family and executed a search warrant at their residence in Washington, located approximately 240 miles from the university. While Robinson is registered to vote, he is not affiliated with any political party and is marked as inactive, indicating he did not participate in the last two elections. His parents, by contrast, are registered Republicans. The day following Kirk's assassination, an acquaintance of Robinson reached out to him in a group chat. The FBI had just released surveillance footage of a slim young man wearing a cap and sunglasses and seeking help from the public to identify the suspect. In response to being tagged in the chat with the images, Robinson quickly replied, joking that the person in the video was trying to, quote, get me in trouble. He looks like me. This exchange occurred on Thursday afternoon, and it wasn't until late that night, nearly 34 hours after the shooting, that Robinson was arrested on suspicion of being responsible for Kirk's assassination. The Discord messages provide a revealing look into Robinson's mindset. Shortly after the incident, these messages were shared with the New York Times by a former high school acquaintance who has remained in contact with him through the group chat, which includes about 20 members. The source requested to remain anonymous to avoid backlash from being linked to Robinson. The Times confirmed that the acquaintances from high school's connection to Robinson and collected evidence including their familiarity. The Times confirmed the acquaintance's high school connection to Robinson. The screenshots were provided at the Times request. While Discord did not verify Robinson's username, it aligns with other accounts he has used online. After Robinson joked about the resemblance to the gunman, another chat member suggested they could report him to collect the $100,000 reward offered by the FBI. At that time, several media sources reported that the ammunition found at the scene contained engravings related to transgender ide. In reality, the engravings included phrases like lyrics from an anti fascist Italian folk song and a reference to a sexual meme. Before the exact details of the engravings were made public, Robinson communicated that he was closely monitoring the news. He said, I heard the ammo had something about trans stuff on it, but they aren't releasing photos or exact quotes, he noted, adding, and also the claim wasn't backed by the official FBI. Some dude in a briefing room, that's all he said. After Robinson's arrest on Thursday night, members of the Discord chat expressed disbelief over the accusations against him. One said, our governor wants to give him the death penalty. Another remarked, I truly can't distinguish if this is real or not. Robinson remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, according to the Utah governor.

[A]

Nicole, thank you. More crime and justice news after this.

[D]

It starts like any other night. The glass of red, the cozy blanket, then the drop, the stain so dark, so stubborn it might as well have been a crime scene. But this isn't your average couch. This is Anna Bay. Fully washable, unspeakably comfortable and ready for whatever your life, your kids or your ex. Familiar rows ahead. And here's the kicker. Starting at just 6:99 you can make sure your sofa isn't part of the problem. Fully washable, stain resistant, and built to hide even the darkest defenses. Right now get up to 60% off because no one should have to live with a stain that won't quit. Annabe the only mystery you won't be losing sleepover shop washablesofas.com today that's washablesofas.com.

[E]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[B]

Now.

[E]

I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited premium wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made fifteen dollar bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So There goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[D]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required New customer offer for first 3 months only Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks Busy taxes and fees extra c mint mobile.com.

[B]

An actor was taken into custody after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during a road rage confrontation at a red light. The incident prompted a lockdown in the surrounding area that lasted several hours, according to New Jersey Police. They responded to the scene just after 1pm following reports of road RA that resulted in a woman sustaining gunshot wounds to her face. Despite her injuries, she was able to communicate with police and provided details about a Suspect identified as 46 year old Ernest Hines. She described how Hines cut her off while she was merging and once they reached the traffic light, he allegedly shouted threats at her and brandished a handgun. He then fired at her face. Hines, who police confirmed is an actor, reportedly fled onto the grounds of Stockton University, leading to a shelter in place order for several hours. He was later arrested at a nearby residence and faces charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault. Our suspect remained silent throughout the process, stated Captain D Espisodo. However, he fit the description and we have numerous pieces of evidence linking this man to the crime. Heinz's IMDb profile notes his appearances in films such as Ricky Christopher Nolan's the Prestige and most recently he starred in a film with Leonardo DiCaprio.

[A]

For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast crime stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. Hi, I'm Nancy Grace.

[D]

It starts like any other night. The glass of red, the cozy blanket. Then the drop. The stain so dark, so stubborn, it might as well have been a crime scene. But this isn't your average couch. This is Anna Bay. Fully washable, unspeakably comfortable, and ready for whatever your life, your kids or your ex. Familiar rows ahead. And here's the kicker. Starting at just $6.99, you can make sure your sofa isn't part of the problem. Fully washable, stain resistant, and built to hide even the darkest defenses. Right now, get up to 60% off, because no one should have to live with a stain that won't quit. Annabe the only mystery you won't be losing sleepover shop WashablesOfAs.com today, that's WashablesOfAs.com.

[A]

Now streaming on Paramount Plus. Hunted by hackers, stalked by assassins, and wanted by international police, Tony and Ziva are on the run and getting some action. Car chases, surprise weddings, killer drones, undercover ops, robot dogs, daring heists, prison breaks. Nothing will keep this couple from taking down an international consultant, conspiracy and clearing their names. Good thing espionage is their love language. Get ready for the ultimate romantic escape with the premiere of NCIS Tony and Ziva, now streaming on Paramount.

[B]

Plus, this is an iHeart podcast.