Discord Distances Itself from Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect
▼ Summary
– Discord denies the suspect used its platform to plan or discuss the killing, stating no evidence of such activity was found.
– Utah Governor Cox reported investigators photographed Discord messages from the suspect’s roommate, which included references to a rifle and engraved bullets.
– Discord clarifies the messages were not from the suspect but were the roommate recounting a note from elsewhere in a chat with a friend.
– The platform faces scrutiny and accusations from officials and influencers for its past use by shooters and potential role in radicalization.
– Discord removed the suspect’s account for violating its off-platform behavior policy and condemned violence while cooperating with law enforcement.
Discord is actively refuting claims that its platform played any role in the planning or discussion of the shooting involving Charlie Kirk. Following statements from law enforcement officials, the company has clarified that no evidence exists to suggest the accused, Tyler Robinson, used Discord to organize or promote violent acts. Jud Hoffman, Discord’s vice president of trust and safety, emphasized in a statement that the platform remains committed to user safety and cooperation with authorities.
During a recent press conference, Utah Governor Spencer Cox referenced a conversation between investigators and Robinson’s roommate, who reportedly mentioned Robinson making a joke on Discord. Authorities photographed messages from the roommate’s device, which included exchanges referencing a rifle wrapped in a towel and engraved bullets. However, Discord’s spokesperson later clarified that these messages were not actually sent on their service. Instead, they were private communications between the roommate and a friend discussing a note left by Robinson elsewhere.
This distinction is significant for Discord, which has faced previous criticism over its use by individuals involved in violent incidents. The platform has been scrutinized by public officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, for its potential role in hosting extremist content. In the wake of this event, right-wing commentators such as Andy Ngo and Laura Loomer have accused Discord of radicalizing young users, drawing parallels to other high-profile cases.
Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna has called for an FBI investigation into online radicalization networks, specifically naming Discord as a potential conduit for extremist recruitment. In response, Hoffman confirmed that Robinson’s account was terminated for violating Discord’s off-platform behavior policy. The company reiterated its condemnation of all forms of violence and affirmed its ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
(Source: The Verge)
