Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer identified and in custody after family helped turn him in, officials say
The suspect, identified by authorities as Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody Thursday night.
The suspected shooter in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is in police custody, officials announced Friday morning.
“We got him,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at news conference.
Cox identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, 22, who was taken into custody around 11 p.m. Thursday in Washington, Utah, about 250 miles from the location of the shooting.
“On the evening of September 11, a family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” Cox said.
Cox said Robinson’s family and a friend brought him in, and he is currently being held in the Utah County Jail. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. He could face the death penalty.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A manhunt ensued for the suspect, with federal investigators releasing footage and images of a young man captured on surveillance footage.
During an appearance on Fox News Friday morning, President Donald Trump said a minister saw the footage and was able to identify the suspect.
“A minister — who’s involved with law enforcement by the way, his good friend is a top U.S. marshal — and they took it from there," Trump said, adding the suspect’s father was also involved in the suspect’s capture.
Police recovered a Mauser .30-caliber, bolt-action rifle in a town in the woods near the school they believe was used by Robinson. Investigators said Robinson fired a single shot that killed Kirk in broad daylight in the middle of an event with students.
Police don’t yet have a motive, but Cox said bullet casings found with the rifle were engraved with inscriptions that included “Hey fascist! catch!” and “Bella ciao,” which appears to be a reference to an anti-fascist song sung in Italy during World War II. Other engravings appeared to be related to online gaming.
Cox also said a family member told officials Robinson spoke about Kirk “spreading hate” and knew he was scheduled to attend an event at Utah Valley University.
While Robinson communicated with someone about the rifle on the social media platform Discord, investigators believe Robinson acted alone and they don’t anticipate any further arrests, Cox said.
“I’m grateful that at this moment, we have an opportunity to bring closure to this very dark chapter in our nation’s history,” Cox said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.