Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, ‘confessed’ to police after the young man was ‘turned in by his dad’
Trump confirms authorities have Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer in custody
The suspect arrested over the shooting of prominent right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk has been named as Tyler Robinson, 22.
Robinson was taken into custody two days after father-of-two Kirk, 31, a Donald Trump ally, was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University debate in what authorities described as a political assassination. Robinson’s own father, said to be a former law enforcement official, turned him in.
Utah’s Governor Cox confirmed one of Robinson’s family members reached out to a family friend, who contacted a Sherriff with the information, after he started a press conference with “we got him”. The Governor added that Robinson, who was wearing the same clothes in CCTV footage from Wednesday, said Robinson confessed to the shooting when approached by police this morning.
Cox added that the suspect had become “more political in recent years” and mentioned to family that Kirk was coming to Utah. The Governor added that Robinson “talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints he had” and the family member “said Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate”.
The 22-year-old drove to the university in a grey car and arrived in one outfit, got changed before getting to the roof where he allegedly took the shot, then changed back into the original clothing. Authorities said a gun was found nearby wrapped in a towel and bullet casings with inscriptions.
Governor Cox revealed some of the inscriptions said: “Hey fascist! Catch!”, “o bella ciao, bella ciao” and “if you read this you are gay lmao”.
Cox said investigators interviewed the suspect’s roommate who showed police messages between him and a “Tyler” on Discord. These messages showed “Tyler” saying he needed to retrieve a rifle, leaving it in a bush wrapped in a towel.
Cox added that the messages also said the rifle was “unique” and mentioned engraving bullets. Police arrested Robinson, born in 2003, on Thursday at 10pm and Utah governor said it is believed the suspect acted alone.
Robinson had been a student at Utah State University for a semester in 2021, a spokesperson for the university told NBC News. Utah Valley University confirmed the suspect was not a student at their school.
News of the arrest was broken by US President Donald Trump, who said officials have a “high degree of certainty” the man taken into custody was the suspected shooter. The President said a “person of faith, a minister” went to the suspect’s dad. Trump then said the “father convinced the son” and went to a US Marshal.
The dad of suspect, Matt Robinson, is reportedly a 27-year veteran of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, according to the MailOnline. His mum, Amber Robinson, reportedly worked as a care worker.
Paying tribute to his friend Trump said Kirk was “like a son” to him adding that he hopes the killer gets the death penalty. Police arrested two people in the aftermath, but both were later released without charge after they were found to have no connection to the shooting.
Kirk was speaking at a debate organised by his group, and was taking questions from an audience member about gun violence when he was shot in the neck. Stunned spectators were heard gasping and screaming, before the crowd of 3,000 people gathered in the university courtyard scrambled for safety.
The FBI released a series of videos of suspect who appeared to be on the roof of the Losee Center Building, around 180metres away from where Kirk was sitting in a pop-up tent – emblazoned with the slogans: “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong”.
Officials released details about their suspected gunman saying they appeared “to be of college age” and “blended in” to the roughly 3,000 large university crowd who went to see Kirk’s debate.
Authorities appeared stumped as to who the shooter was, stating they had “no idea” if the assassin was in Utah or had fled to another state a day after the killing. A huge manhunt was launched as cops threw a $100,000 bounty out for the shooter.
Days after the shooting, authorities were not able to name a suspect or share possible motives behind the assassination. Utah’s public safety commissioner however did say the gunman was of “college age” and had “blended in” with other students.
A day after the shooting the FBI released an CCTV images of a “person of interest” wanted in connection with Charlie Kirk’s killing. The suspect was seen wearing a black long-sleeved T-shirt with an American flag on the front, blue trousers, Converse-style shoes, a cap and sunglasses.
Authorities also said they discovered a high-calibre rifle believed to have been used in the fatal shooting in a wooded area on the university campus.
Hours after conservative activist died, Donald Trump recorded a video from the White House in which he called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for the killing.
Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk, the US president said: “Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. Charlie is a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America.”
The President later said he planned to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honour in the US.
On Thursday, Kirk’s casket arrived in his home state of Arizona when it was flown from Salt Lake City on Air Force Two. His widow was seen for the first time following his death, as she stepped off the plane with her arm around JD Vance’s wife, Usha, as the Vice President followed.
Both women worse black and covered their eyes with sunglasses as Kirk’s wife, Erika, appeared visibly upset. JD Vance had escorted the slain firebrand’s body onto Air Force Two and silently placed his hand on the casket as they walked across the airport tarmac.