A 22-year-old Utah man was arrested in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event on a college campus, authorities said Saturday.
“We got him,” Governor Spencer Cox told reporters at a news conference announcing the arrest of Tyler Robinson in Thursday's killing of Kirk at Utah Valley University. He was taken into custody and is due in court early next week. Investigators believe he acted alone, authorities said.
Kirk,the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was a top podcaster, culture warrior and ally of President Donald Trump. He led an effort to remake the GOP’s get-out-the-vote effort in the 2024 election based on the theory there were thousands of Trump supporters who rarely vote but could be persuaded to do so.
His killing was the latest in a string of attacks on US politicians that have targeted members of both major parties.
Suspect arrested
Cox, a Republican, said a family member of Robinson's reached out to a friend, who contacted authorities with information that Robinson had confessed or implied that he carried out the shooting. “I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson who did the right thing,” he said.
Robinson’s father recognised him from images released by authorities and encouraged him to turn himself in, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. He refused at first, but then changed his mind, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.
Robinson's father reached out for help to a youth pastor, who helped Robinson turn himself in, the official said.
The Governor would not say if Robinson is cooperating with the investigation.
Robinson was being held Saturday at the Utah County Jail. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. A judge ordered that he be held without bail.
Family members of Robinson didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.
US Correspondent Logan Church reflects on the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death, shot dead in front of a crowd on a university campus in Utah. (Source: 1News)
The Utah County attorney’s office said it expects to file formal charges by Wednesday, when Robinson is due to make an initial court appearance.
According to Cox, Robinson's family said he had become “more political in recent years” and had criticised Kirk, mentioning that he was due to appear at an upcoming event in Utah and saying “Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate".
A rifle hidden in a towel was recovered in a wooded area near the university campus. There was a spent cartridge in the chamber and three other rounds loaded in the magazine.
Cox also said ammunition found at the scene was engraved with taunting, anti-fascist and meme culture messaging.
Who is Tyler James Robinson?
Details about Robinson began to emerge after news of his arrest broke.
He was admitted to Utah State University on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter posted to a family member’s social media account. However, he attended for only one semester in 2021, a school spokesperson said.
Robinson’s address was still listed as his parents’ home, and he is registered as an unaffiliated voter, according to state records. He doesn't appear to have a prior criminal record. The family lives in a suburb of the city of St George in southern Utah, about 390 kilometres southwest of the Utah Valley campus.
There was a heavy police presence outside the Robinson family’s house as media arrived. Window coverings were drawn, and a pickup truck was parked in front of the home, blocking access to the driveway.
Officers warned people to stay off the neighbours’ property. Both ends of the street also were blocked, confusing some motorists.
One neighbour, Melissa Tait, said she first noticed the police activity mid-morning Saturday.
Politicians unite in condemning the attack
Kirk’s assassination is “an attack on the American experiment” and values, and “cuts to the very foundation of who we are," Cox said.
“This is our moment: Do we escalate or do we find an off-ramp?” Cox asked at the news conference, making an impassioned plea for young people to bridge differences through common ground rather than violence. “It’s a choice.”
Kirk's killing was swiftly condemned by Republicans and Democrats alike.
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, who last March hosted Kirk on his podcast, posted on X: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation. The President, who sustained a minor ear injury when he was shot at a campaign event last year, said he and Kirk had a close relationship.
“He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump said.
One gunshot fired from a roof
Utah Valley is the state’s largest public university, with an enrollment of 47,000. It’s about 64 kilometres south of the state capital, Salt Lake City.
Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point when the shooter fired from a distant rooftop, authorities said.
Videos posted on social media show Kirk speaking into a microphone while sitting under a white tent. A single shot rings out, and Kirk reaches up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck.
The university cancelled classes through the week and closed the campus until at least Monday.
Kirk’s rise from Trump aide to major conservative influencer
Kirk was 18 years old when he co-founded Turning Point in suburban Chicago in 2012 with William Montgomery, a Tea Party activist. They aimed to take their ideas for low taxes and limited government to college campuses.
Turning Point enthusiastically backed Trump after he clinched the GOP nomination for president in 2016. Kirk served as a personal aide to the then-candidate's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, during the general election campaign.
Kirk was also known for provocative statements on race that he used to court Gen Z voters.
“I’m sorry. If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified,'” Kirk said during a 2024 podcast with fellow conservative activist Jack Posobiec.
Trump said Friday that he would posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk at a later date.
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