Cox: Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination was in romantic relationship with roommate, who is cooperating

(The Hill) -- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said on Sunday the alleged assassin behind conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting last week was in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who Cox said is cooperating with law enforcement.

Cox also said the roommate is transgender, confirming reporting from Fox News.

“There are a couple things that we can confirm that have been reported,” Cox said in an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press.”

“We do know that the roommate that we had originally talked about, we can confirm that that roommate is a boyfriend who is transitioning from male to female,” Cox added. “So we know that piece.”

“I will say that that person has been very cooperative with authorities,” he continued.

Cox said authorities have additional forensic evidence that will be presented when charges are formally filed on Tuesday.

He said the motive for the alleged assassin is not yet clear.

Cox said the suspect “does come from a conservative family,” according to family and friends, “But his ideology was very different than his family.”

The alleged gunman, Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody by the FBI late Thursday evening. Law enforcement said Robinson, 22, implied involvement in the shooting to a family member, who contacted a family friend, who then told authorities.

Cox said at a press conference on Friday morning that a family member described Robinson as becoming increasingly political in recent years.

“The family member referenced a recent incident in which Robinson came to dinner prior to Sept. 10, and in the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to [Utah Valley University,]” Cox said.

“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had. The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate,” Cox added.