Charlie Kirk Assassin Apprehended
The FBI releases its first photos of Robinson in sunglasses and a dark blue cap wearing a black T-shirt with a large American flag and bald eagle on the front walking up a stairwell, and then his booking photo. (Photos courtesy of the Utah State Governor’s Office and the FBI)
Tyler Robinson has been arrested in Utah as a suspect for the killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Article by Samara Kangethe, Senior White House Producer
OREM, Utah - On Wednesday, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, and he has been taken into custody.
Robinson is being held without bail in a Utah jail on several charges, including felony discharge of a firearm and aggravated murder, and obstruction of justice. If convicted of an aggravated murder charge, Robinson could face the death penalty or 25 years to life in prison without parole.
Robinson is not a student at Utah Valley University. Robinson is from St. George, Utah, a small town in the Southwest of Utah. He graduated from Pine View High School in 2021 and received a resident presidential scholarship to attend Utah State University. He majored in Pre-Engineering but took a leave of absence after his first semester. Robinson transferred to Dixie Technical College, where he is currently a third-year student in the Electrical Apprenticeship program.
When the FBI released photos of the suspect, Robinson’s father recognized him and reached out asking if it was him. Once Robinson confessed, his father urged him to turn himself in to the authorities. After some resistance, Robinson agreed.
Family members have confirmed Robinson’s dislike for Kirk’s political stance as well as Robinson’s knowledge of the event at Utah Valley University. Friends and family have reported mixed reviews on Robinson’s political views, which lean conservative; however, Robinson has yet to vote in any official election and is registered as independent. Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) shared that Robinson was in a relationship with his transgender roommate, who has been cooperating with law enforcement.
The bullets found by the authorities have many inscriptions on them with reference to Italian fascist ideas and memes. One bullet was inscribed with “Hey fascists! Catch!”
The Department of Justice expects to file separate federal charges against Robinson, and a motive has yet to be identified. President Trump, along with the FBI, has begun investigating “radical-leftist” groups in Utah. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) pushed back against these remarks and highlighted how political violence is not only plaguing one side of the political spectrum. Shapiro shared on X, “No one party is immune from political violence. My family and I can attest to that. “Violence transcends party lines – and the way to address it and have true peaceful debate is for leaders to speak and act with moral clarity. That needs to start with the President”.