Highlights:
- Officials identify Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, as suspect in Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting
- Arrest followed surveillance analysis, family tip, and review of online messages
- Rifle with engraved casings recovered near the Utah Valley University campus
- Robinson expected to face aggravated murder and firearms-related charges
Arrest and identification of suspect
Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson was arrested Thursday after investigators examined surveillance footage, reviewed online messages, and interviewed family members. According to Cox, a relative of Robinson’s contacted a family friend, who then alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information about a confession or admission.
“We got him,” Cox said at a Friday press conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and other officials. Robinson is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice.
Details of the attack
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was shot and killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University.
Investigators said the shooter used a high-powered bolt-action rifle from a rooftop about 200 yards from the venue. Surveillance footage showed a man arriving in a gray Dodge Challenger before entering the campus. The FBI released images of a young man in dark clothing, sunglasses, a black Adidas hat, jeans, and Converse sneakers.
When approached by authorities Thursday, Robinson was reportedly wearing clothing consistent with the images.
Rifle and engraved casings recovered
Authorities recovered a Mauser Model 9830 bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope in a wooded area near the campus. Engraved casings were also found at the site.
Governor Cox said the inscriptions included lyrics from the Italian folk song “Bella Ciao,” phrases such as “Hey fascists! Catch!” with arrows, and other remarks including “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”
Family and online communications
Cox stated that Robinson’s family noted he had become more politically outspoken in recent years. A relative recounted a dinner conversation in which Robinson mentioned Kirk’s upcoming appearance at Utah Valley University and criticised his views.
Robinson’s roommate provided authorities with Discord messages in which Robinson discussed retrieving and hiding a rifle, leaving it wrapped in a towel, and engraving bullets.
Public records show Robinson had no prior criminal history. He briefly attended Utah State University in 2021 and was not registered with a political party.
National reaction
Former President Donald Trump, who first announced Kirk’s death, confirmed Friday morning that a suspect was in custody. He suggested in a Fox News interview that Robinson’s father had persuaded him to surrender, while noting his information was preliminary.
Governor Cox described the killing as a political assassination and “an attack on the American experiment and our ideals.”
Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded, said in a statement that Kirk had faced “thousands” of threats but remained committed to reaching young Americans.
“All of us will miss Charlie,” the statement read. “None of us will ever forget him.”
