Utah Governor Spencer Cox has said that the suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk espoused a “leftist ideology,” despite being raised in a conservative household.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Cox identified the 22-year-old suspect as Tyler Robinson and said that family and friends described him as “a very normal young man, a very smart young man” who had turned toward “dark places online.”

“We can confirm that… he does come from a conservative family. But his ideology was very different than his family,” Cox said.

Public records show Robinson registered as a nonpartisan voter in Utah, while his parents are listed as Republicans.

Details of personal life emerge

Cox also confirmed that Robinson had a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate, who is transitioning from male to female. According to Cox, the partner has been “incredibly cooperative” with investigators and had no knowledge of the alleged plot.

Authorities have not yet determined whether Robinson’s personal life played any role in the killing. “We’re trying to figure it out. I know everybody wants to know exactly why… I do too,” Cox added.

Kirk’s assassination shocks conservatives

Charlie Kirk, cofounder of the youth conservative group Turning Point USA and a close ally of Donald Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.

Often described as a “rock star” among young conservatives, Kirk played a major role in energizing the youth vote for Trump’s re-election campaign. While conservatives hailed him as a defender of free speech and traditional values, critics accused him of stoking hatred toward minorities and LGBTQ communities.

Political fallout and partisan blame

Both Democrats and Republicans condemned the killing. But the aftermath has deepened partisan divides. Some left-leaning users on social media celebrated Kirk’s death, triggering outrage on the right and online campaigns to punish those expressing such views.

Meanwhile, conservative voices have escalated their rhetoric. Elon Musk posted on X: “If they won’t leave us in peace, then our choice is to fight or die.”

Former President Trump seized on the moment to attack the left, saying radical leftists were “vicious and politically savvy,” and arguing that left-wing extremism was a greater threat than right-wing radicalism.