Tyler Robinson joked in Discord chat about ‘doppelganger’ after FBI photos were released

Federal investigators shared images of Robinson with the public earlier that day, asking for help identifying him. In the group chat, a friend tagged Robinson with the images and wrote “wya” with a skull emoji. Robinson replied less than a minute later, saying the “doopleganger” was trying to “get me in trouble.”

“Tyler killed Charlie!!!” another user wrote, according to messages shared with The New York Times by a former high school classmate who was part of the 20-person chat.

One member suggested turning Robinson in to claim the FBI’s reward, prompting Robinson to quip, “Only if I get a cut.” His Discord profile photo showed a confused Garfield comic panel.

Another participant joked, “Whatever you do, don’t go to a mcdonalds anytime soon,” referencing the arrest of Luigi Mangione, who was caught at a McDonald’s after killing a healthcare executive in Manhattan. Robinson agreed, adding that he “better also get rid of this manifesto and exact copy rifle I have lying around.”

Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk with a rifle while Kirk spoke under a pop-up tent to thousands at Utah Valley University. Authorities said Robinson surrendered Thursday night in southwestern Utah after his father confronted him about the shooting. His Discord friends expressed disbelief after learning of his arrest.

“I truly cannot distinguish if this is for real,” one wrote.

Robinson is expected to be formally charged by prosecutors on Tuesday.