Suspect Tyler Robinson Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah. Officials announced the arrest on Friday, identifying the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a Utah native. The shooting occurred on Wednesday at Utah Valley University (UVU), where Kirk was speaking at an event.

Details of the Arrest and Investigation

Tyler Robinson, 22, was booked into the Utah County Jail and is expected to face charges early next week, including felony discharge of a firearm, aggravated murder, and obstruction of justice. According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a family friend contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office after Robinson confessed or implied his involvement in Kirk's death.

Governor Cox expressed gratitude to Robinson's family members for their cooperation, stating they "did the right thing in this case and were able to bring him in to law enforcement." Investigators interviewed a family member who noted that Robinson had "become more political in recent years" and expressed dislike for Kirk's viewpoints.

Evidence and FBI Involvement

Forensic evidence has been seized and is being evaluated at FBI laboratories in Quantico. FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned that over 11,000 leads were received. A rifle, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, was retrieved from a bush near the scene. Bullet cartridges with writing on them were also found, including messages like "Hey fascist! CATCH!" and lyrics from the song "Bella, ciao."

The rifle has been identified as an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle. The FBI said it recovered what they believed to be the weapon used in the deadly shooting. The location of the firearm appears to match the suspect’s route of travel.

Trump's Statement and Investigation Timeline

President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest on "Fox & Friends," stating that authorities had the suspected shooter in custody. Trump credited someone "very close to him" for turning Robinson in, noting that the suspect's father convinced him to surrender. Trump also stated he believes the shooter should get the death penalty.

On Thursday, officials released new video footage of the person of interest, showing him climbing down from the roof of a building at Utah Valley University. The video showed the suspect walking with an unusual gait, believed to be due to concealing the rifle under his clothes. The suspect arrived on the Orem campus at 11:52 a.m. on Wednesday and then traveled to the roof of a building near where Kirk was speaking. Kirk was shot at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Community Response and Calls for Unity

Governor Cox urged young people to embrace a different path, stating, "To my young friends out there, you are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage... But through those words, we have a reminder that we can choose a different path." He also described the shooting as "an attack on all of us" and expressed hope for the future.

Kirk was hit by a single shot and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. After the shooting, the suspected shooter traveled to the other side of the building, jumped off, and fled off-campus into a neighborhood.

Details from the Manhunt

Prior to Robinson's arrest, authorities released photographs and video footage of the "person of interest" and asked for the public's help in identifying him. Investigators completed more than 200 interviews and received about 7,000 tips from the public.

Surveillance footage showed the man fleeing across a university rooftop about 120 meters (400ft) from where Kirk was speaking before fleeing the campus.