Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson’s lover Lance Twiggs no longer under FBI protection, source says
Law enforcement source confirms protection ended for Robinson's transgender roommate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}PROVO, Utah – A law enforcement source confirmed to Fox News Digital that Lance Twiggs, the transgender roommate and romantic partner of Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, is no longer under FBI protection.
Twiggs has not been charged with any crime. The FBI has not publicly explained why his protection ended.
A relative previously told Fox News Digital that Twiggs moved into a townhome in St. George, Utah, after living with his grandparents when his father kicked him out. The 22-year-old was in the process of transitioning from male to female at the time, the relative said. He was kicked out of his parents’ home at age 18, according to the relative.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The relative said Twiggs struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, was addicted to video games, and was grappling with his gender identity, adding that those issues fueled repeated conflicts with family members.
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
"But the real reason he was acting out was because he was using drugs and alcohol, and was addicted to gaming," the relative said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She added that Twiggs would often present himself as reformed despite ongoing issues.
"He had always tried to put on the act that he had changed," she said.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the relative, Twiggs initially moved into the townhome with multiple college roommates and paid full rent while maintaining employment.
"He was maintaining a job and able to pay rent, and was technically an adult," she said.
The other roommates eventually moved out, and Robinson later moved in. The two entered a romantic relationship, according to the relative, and lived together until Robinson’s arrest.
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Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
A relative also told Fox News Digital that while Twiggs was later described as cooperative, authorities initially had to locate and bring him in for questioning. The relative said Twiggs and members of his family were given an FBI security detail in the weeks after the shooting because of threats, but that protection has since ended.
Robinson is accused of assassinating Kirk during a Turning Point USA event on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, authorities said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Court documents allege Robinson texted Twiggs shortly before the killing, asking him to "look under my keyboard." Investigators say the message referred to a handwritten note.
"I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it," the note read, according to authorities.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People run after shots were fired during an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
After the shooting, prosecutors say Twiggs exchanged text messages with Robinson, questioning whether he carried out the attack.
"You weren’t the one who did it right????" Twiggs allegedly asked.
"I am, I’m sorry," Robinson allegedly responded, according to court filings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Federal law enforcement sources say the decision to end protection was not unusual. Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital that the Bureau typically reevaluates witness protection once a cooperation phase is complete.
Pack noted that Robinson’s partner provided key evidence early in the case, including text messages in which Robinson allegedly confessed, a handwritten note found under a keyboard, and communications about the rifle, and once investigators secure that material, the need for ongoing protection often diminishes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pack added that threat assessments are a central factor, and with Robinson in custody since September and no known credible threats against the partner, the FBI may have concluded federal protection was no longer warranted.
He also pointed to resource constraints, saying protective details are costly and labor-intensive and cannot be maintained indefinitely absent a clear danger.
While the partner has since moved out of state and retained an attorney, Pack said that from the Bureau’s perspective, its role in protecting the witness "is done — though it can always be reevaluated if circumstances change."
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Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Officials claim Robinson told investigators he killed Kirk because he "had enough of his hatred," adding that "some hate can’t be negotiated out."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A judge is scheduled to hear arguments Friday, Jan. 16, on Robinson’s motion to remove the entire Utah County Attorney’s Office from the case. If granted, a special prosecutor would be appointed, potentially delaying trial proceedings — including the state’s pursuit of the death penalty.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.