Outlet Quickly Deletes Claim From ‘Verified Source’ That Suspected Charlie Kirk Shooter Was ‘Leftist’

Alexandra Buxbaum/Sipa USA via AP Images

The Guardian removed quotes from an article on Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer identifying the young man as the only “leftist” in his family.

In a Friday post about Tyler Robinson, the suspect in custody authorities are accusing of acting alone in shooting and killing Kirk at a Wednesday event in Utah, The Guardian dove into the details of the 22-year-old’s life. One major detail, however, has now been completely scrubbed from the post.

“Editor’s note: This article was updated on 12 September 2025 to remove summarized quotes after the verified source who attended high school with Tyler Robinson said after publication that they could not accurately remember details of their relationship,” an editor’s note added to the article now reads.

In the original publication, someone describing themselves as “friends” with Robinson in high school called Robinson “pretty far left on everything” and the “only member of his family that was, like, really leftist.” The person speaking to The Guardian chose to remain anonymous.

The explosive quotes dropped as heated debate drags on about the specific politics and motivations behind the shooting of Kirk, a controversial conservative figure who built much of his brand on engaging in direct debates with liberals on college campuses. When he was shot, Kirk was reportedly speaking about “transgender shooters,” according to eyewitnesses.

Formal charges against Robinson are expected to be filed on Tuesday, according to the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Law enforcement officials said the suspect was turned in after his father recognized him in photos released to the public. The father got a youth pastor involved and the U.S. Marshals Service was called in.