Discord, the messaging platform authorities have linked to the suspect accused of killing Charlie Kirk, says it removed the suspect's account but disputes officials' description of how the suspect used the app.

Kirk, 31, was assassinated while speaking with students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Two days later, authorities announced the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, alleging he is the suspected gunman in the killing.

What is Discord?

Discord is an online community platform used by an estimated 200 million people online, USA TODAY previously reported.

Users can communicate with each other directly by text or voice calls.

Inside Discord, communication happens on "servers," which are similar to "groups" on Facebook or Instagram. Each server can have separate "channels," smaller spaces for select members.

Similar to Facebook, the servers and channels can be public or private − though Discord tends to be far more geared toward private communication. Private servers require an invitation to join.

Did the suspect use Discord?

During a Friday, Sept. 12 press conference, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters Robinson's roommate showed authorities Discord messages from Robinson referencing a rifle and bullet casing engravings found with the suspected shooter’s gun.

Discord told USA TODAY the messages Cox mentioned were not sent on Discord.

(This story has been updated to correct a misspelling/typo.)

Contributing: Josh Meyer

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Discord? The messaging platform gains attention after Charlie Kirk shooting.

Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund and Will Carless, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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