Charlie Kirk Shooting: Was the Shooter a 'Groyper'?
Charlie Kirk Shooting Sparks 'Groyper' Speculation
The recent shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has ignited online speculation about the shooter, Tyler Robinson's, possible affiliations with the alt-right movement, particularly with a group known as 'Groypers'. Robinson, 22, is now in custody facing charges including aggravated murder.
Who is Tyler Robinson?
Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident with no prior criminal record according to Reuters, is the suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting. Family members have stated that Robinson had become more politically engaged recently and had allegedly voiced criticisms of Kirk before the incident.
The 'Groyper' Connection: What's the Link?
Following Robinson's arrest, images of him began circulating online, leading to questions about whether he was associated with the 'Groyper' movement. One particular photo, showing Robinson in a black Adidas tracksuit crouching, drew comparisons to a meme featuring Pepe the Frog in similar attire, a meme commonly used within 'Groyper' circles.
This meme, known as the "black Adidas hoodie crouching meme" or "Slav squat," originated on 4chan and has become associated with the alt-right and ironic internet subcultures. Some social media users have claimed that Robinson's photo suggests an alignment with Nick Fuentes’s Groyper Army, a group known for its clashes with mainstream conservatives, including Kirk and Turning Point USA.
Further fueling the speculation, some posts have alleged that Robinson even dressed as a 'Groyper' meme for Halloween, strengthening the theory that he identified with alt-right internet culture. The investigation is ongoing, and the motivations behind the shooting remain under scrutiny.