I think the statements are pretty clearly targeting Kirk as a fascist, and reflect a shooter who didn’t support his rhetoric.
I’ve heard it said that the shooter spoke with his family, before the murder, about Kirk’s speaking tour. The shooter wasn’t a fan.
But the most interesting element of this may be the fact that he comes from a typical conservative, right wing family. How are those on the right, who are currently frothing at the threat from leftists, going to reconcile the fact that the leftists are coming from within their own families?!
(Actually, thats why I anticipate hearing a lot about the “indoctrination” of our education system, which will be unfairly blamed).
More likely, an apolitical guy, with anarchist and nut tendencies.
Robinson grew up in Washington, Utah, and earned a scholarship to attend Utah State University after a strong academic record in high school, but dropped out after just one semester, according to public records, social media and a university statement.
Voter registration records show that Robinson is registered to vote unaffiliated with any party, although he is also listed as an “inactive” voter, meaning he hadn’t voted in at least the most recent two general elections.
Things is that he was not bothering to vote, the political side then was more towards actively disregarding voting, as normal political beings are, and to embrace violence instead.
I’m guessing he started talking more about “political issues” - something radicalized him; maybe a school shooting that hit close to home…of course, I’m just speculating. I’m surprised we haven’t heard more about his social media presence
Maybe it’s fair to say he had non-traditional political leanings. It’s not surprising to me that someone who commits an assassination is an extremist that doesn’t conform to a typical political viewpoint. That isn’t a regular platform item for any of the major political parties.
My experience from past incidents tells me that the reason is because it does not benefit one side over the other. Harder for the right wing to accept that mental health is an issue that has to be taken care of.
“When we talk about online radicalization we always talk about Muslims. But the radicalization of white men online is at astronomical levels,” tweeted the sharp social observer Siyanda Mohutsiwa the morning after the 2016 election.”
–David Frum, former George W. Bush speechwriter
Note that the Evergreen (Denver suburb), Colorado shooter was also apparently ‘radicalized.’
I am not MAGA or right-wing. But I would describe myself as roughly 60% conservative and 40% libertarian. My wife is also not MAGA or right-wing, but she’s more like 90% conservative and 10% libertarian. Our three children are in their 20s, and they’re all liberal and progressive. (Though I’m guessing they won’t stay that way… people tend to become more conservative as they get older.)
As the Wikipedia article mentions, Groypers at one point had a “war” with Kirk and Turning Point USA in particular, so it’s possible I suppose. But I don’t know that we have enough information yet to have any kind of truly informed speculation.
I believe the announced reward was $100,000 like you said the first time.
I would have a very hard time turning my own son in to the FBI for a capital crime. At most I would probably encourage him to turn himself in. Robinson’s father reportedly did this as well, but then turned around and reported him to a pastor (who was also U.S. Marshals task force officer!!).
So bottom line, the father turned his son in. I wonder if he will be able to live with himself. If I were in that situation, the reward money would make it even worse.