Authorities arrested a Utah man identified as Tyler Robinson late Thursday night in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, concluding a two-day nationwide search. The suspect was taken into custody after a family member provided information to law enforcement.
Main suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder Tyler Robinson arrested following family tip
Officials said the break in the case came when a relative told a friend that Robinson had either admitted or hinted at his involvement in the shooting. The friend then alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which quickly contacted federal authorities. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Robinson’s arrest around 10 p.m. local time Thursday.
Robinson is accused of opening fire on Kirk during a speaking engagement Wednesday afternoon before fleeing the campus. The shooting sparked a large-scale manhunt that drew national attention, with surveillance footage showing the suspect dressed in black and carrying a backpack as he escaped across a rooftop.
Investigators reconstructed Robinson’s actions leading up to the shooting using campus security video. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson arrived at the university around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, driving a gray Dodge Challenger. At that time, he wore a maroon T-shirt, light-colored shorts, and a black hat, differing from the dark clothing he was later seen wearing while fleeing.
Authorities also interviewed Robinson’s roommate, who turned over Discord messages allegedly sent by Robinson. In those messages, he referenced retrieving a rifle from a hidden location, describing it as wrapped in a towel. Police later recovered a Mauser bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope matching that description.
Several bullets were collected at the scene, some inscribed with handwritten phrases. One spent casing carried an unexplained cryptic message, while another unfired round included the words “Hey fascist! Catch!” alongside arrows. Additional markings referenced “Bella Ciao,” an Italian anti-fascist resistance song, and one casing contained a vulgar remark.
Gov. Cox said Robinson’s family had noticed his increasing political fixation in recent years. At a recent family dinner, he reportedly mentioned Kirk’s upcoming event at the university and expressed disdain for his views. According to the family, Robinson believed Kirk spread messages of hate.
President Donald Trump addressed the arrest during an appearance Friday morning on Fox & Friends. He confirmed Robinson was in custody and stated he hoped the suspect would be convicted and face the death penalty for the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Robinson remains in custody as investigators continue gathering evidence. He faces charges for felony discharge of firearm, obstruction of justice, and aggravated murder.