A family tip led to the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who authorities believe shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. The arrest ended a nationwide manhunt following Wednesday’s fatal shooting.
Robinson is being held without bail at Utah County Jail on initial charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. Formal charges are expected to be filed Tuesday, with a first court appearance scheduled for that afternoon.
“We got him,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced Friday morning. Cox called the killing a “political assassination” and said prosecutors are preparing to pursue the death penalty.
According to authorities, Kirk was shot once in the neck around 12:23 p.m. Wednesday while answering a question during an outdoor event. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson was taken into custody Thursday at 10 p.m. local time – approximately 33 hours after the shooting. The breakthrough came when a family member recognized Robinson from surveillance images released by the FBI.
“A family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend,” who then contacted authorities, Cox explained. When confronted by his father, Robinson reportedly confessed.
President Donald Trump first revealed the arrest during a Fox News interview Friday morning. “I think with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said, adding that “essentially, someone who knew him turned him in.”
Investigators recovered a high-powered Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope along the suspected escape route. The weapon was wrapped in a towel, matching details from messages allegedly sent by Robinson on Discord that were shown to investigators by his roommate.
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Cox said these messages included discussion about “retrieving a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush” and “reference to engraving bullets and the rifle being unique.”
Some unfired ammunition found with the rifle had engravings, including one that read “Hey fascist! Catch!” according to authorities.
Surveillance footage showed the shooter firing from a rooftop. Video captured a person running across the roof, jumping down, and fleeing into a wooded area. Investigators collected a palm print, footprint, and forearm imprint from the rooftop.
Robinson is from Washington, Utah, about 3.5 hours from the university where the shooting occurred. He is a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College and previously attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021.
Voter records show Robinson is registered as politically unaffiliated and hasn’t voted in the last two general elections. A family member told investigators Robinson “had become more political in recent years” and mentioned Kirk was coming to UVU during a dinner conversation before September 10.
The FBI received over 11,000 tips during the investigation and had offered a $100,000 reward for information.
In response to the shooting, Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff “in honor of Charlie Kirk” until Sunday evening and announced he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Utah to escort Kirk’s body to Arizona. Vance wrote on social media that Kirk was “a true friend” and credited him with helping “staff the entire government” following the 2024 election.
Misinformation about Robinson has spread online since his arrest. CNN reported several false claims, including doctored images and incorrect statements about Robinson’s political affiliations, donations, and family connections.
Cox encouraged Americans to “please, please, please follow what Charlie taught me” and called for unity. “I still believe in our country,” the governor said, “and I know Charlie Kirk believed in our country.”
