Charlie Kirk's alleged killer is not cooperating with authorities and has not confessed to carrying out the shooting, Utah's governor, Spencer Cox, has told US media.
Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody some 33 hours after Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing activist, was shot dead in Orem on Wednesday.
Speaking to ABC News, Cox, a Republican, said people around Mr. Robinson had been cooperating with the investigation.
Cox appeared on various US news outlets on Sunday morning, where he also reiterated concerns regarding social media in the aftermath of Kirk's death.
The governor was also asked about a report by the New York Times alleging Mr. Robinson had spoken to others after the shooting via the Discord messaging platform, including allegations that he joked about being the gunman.
Cox told ABC News: All we can confirm is that those conversations definitely were happening, and they did not believe it was actually him. It was, it was all joking until, until he, you know, until he admitted that it actually was him.
Mr. Robinson was arrested on Thursday night after surrendering to police.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University at an open-air event held by Turning Point USA - the organization he co-founded - when he was shot and killed. The event was part of the American Comeback Tour, which was a speaking engagement that took him to several college campuses throughout the US.
Cox previously told the Wall Street Journal that Mr. Robinson, a Utah native, was deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology. When questioned on it during CNN's State of the Union program on Sunday, he said the information was offered by the suspect's friends and family.
There's so much more that we're learning and so much that we will learn, he explained, adding that when official charges are filed, there will be much more evidence and information available then.
The governor highlighted among those cooperating with authorities is Mr. Robinson's roommate, who he said was also his partner. He said the partner had been incredibly cooperative and was working with investigators. Cox confirmed that the partner was currently transitioning from male to female, but when asked by CNN, said that authorities do not yet know if that is relevant to the investigation.
An affidavit from the state of Utah confirms that Mr. Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He is currently being held without bail at Utah County Jail.
Following Kirk's death, Cox has been prominent in calling for unity to ease political tensions and has made repeated comments criticizing social media. He previously called social media a cancer and argued that the US had to get phones out of the classrooms and take better efforts to hold platform owners to account.
Cox described Kirk's shooting as a direct assault on America and emphasized the need for citizens to reflect on improving, rather than worsening, societal divisions.
Kirk's widow, Erika, delivered a tearful address on Saturday, thanking first responders and asserting that her husband's voice will continue to resonate. A memorial service is set for September 21 at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where Kirk lived with his wife and two children.
Kirk was a key figure in US political discourse, known for his strong conservative views and as a trusted ally of former President Donald Trump. He founded Turning Point USA, aimed at promoting conservative values among college students across the nation. His supporters hailed him as relatable, while critics accused him of harmful rhetoric, particularly towards marginalized communities.
