Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting not cooperating: Utah governor

The man arrested in the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is not cooperating with the authorities, but investigators are working to establish a motive for the shooting by talking to his friends and family, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sept 14.

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Mr Cox said the accused gunman, Tyler Robinson, 22, would be formally charged on Sept 16. He remains in custody in Utah.

Investigators have yet to piece together why Robinson allegedly scaled a rooftop at Utah Valley University during an outdoor event and shot Mr Kirk in the neck at long range on Sept 10.

Mr Kirk, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and co-founder of conservative student group Turning Point USA, was killed by a single rifle shot during the event attended by 3,000 people in Orem, about 65km off Salt Lake City.

The killing fuelled fears of a spike in political violence in the US and an ever-deepening divide between the left and the right.

Robinson has not confessed to investigators, Mr Cox told the ABC programme This Week.

"He is not cooperating, but all the people around him were cooperating, and I think that's very important," the Republican governor said.

One person who is apparently talking to investigators is Robinson's roommate, who was also a romantic partner, Mr Cox said, citing the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mr Cox described the roommate as "a male transitioning to female", and said the roommate has been "incredibly cooperative".

Reuters has not been able to locate the roommate, or representatives for the roommate, to seek comment. Reuters could not determine who is serving as Robinson's legal representative.