The international community remains shocked following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last Wednesday at the University of Utah, and the subsequent arrest of his killer, Tyler Robinson. The arrest of the conservative activist’s killer was announced by US President Donald Trump during his interview on the “Fox & Friends” show. Donald Trump demanded that Charlie Kirk’s killer be sentenced to death. The 22-year-old confessed to Kirk’s murder to his father, Matt, who served for 27 years in a sheriff’s department in Washington.
The father then contacted the authorities and the 22-year-old was taken into custody. The 22-year-old’s mother, Amber Robinson, works for Intermountain Support Coordination Services, a company contracted with Utah to help individuals with disabilities receive care.
Charlie Kirk murder: First photos of Tyler Robinson
The FBI released photos from the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson during an emergency briefing.
Tyler Robinson: This is Charlie Kirk’s killer
Robinson was a scholarship student at the University of Utah, Daily Mail sources confirmed. Robinson has two younger siblings and they all took vacations together, as shown in photos he posted on social media. The 22-year-old lived in a six-bedroom, $600,000 home in Washington, Utah – approximately 260 miles south of Kirk’s assassination in Orem.
Officials have not yet confirmed any motive for the murder. Authorities stated in a press conference Thursday evening that Robinson will face the death penalty if convicted. Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed today that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is the prime suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Valley University. Cox stated that Robinson contacted a family friend, who in turn informed authorities that Robinson “had confessed or implied that he committed the crime.”
Robinson had written messages on Discord about the rifle he used
This information was passed to the Utah County Sheriff’s office and examined by Valley University investigators, Cox added. According to the governor, Robinson had written messages on the Discord app about the rifle he used. The suspect’s roommate showed investigators messages on Discord where Robinson talked about acquiring a rifle, according to the governor. The roommate opened Discord and “allowed investigators to photograph Robinson’s messages,” Cox added in a press conference.
“The content of these messages included messages related to Tyler, which referenced the need to pick up a rifle from a delivery point, to leave the rifle in a bush, messages related to monitoring the area where the rifle had been left, and a message referring to the rifle being left wrapped in a towel,” Cox noted. “The messages also refer to engraved bullets and a scope, as well as the rifle being unique. Messages from Tyler also mention that he had changed clothes,” Cox added.
“Kirk was full of hate and spread hate”
Robinson spoke negatively about the victim before the shooting, according to what a family member told investigators, the governor reported. “Investigators spoke with a Robinson family member, who stated that Robinson had become more politicized in recent years,” Cox said. The suspect specifically mentioned Kirk during a family dinner, Cox added. “In conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be coming to Valley University. They talked about the reasons they didn’t like him and the views he held,” the governor said. Robinson at dinner said that “Kirk was full of hate and spread hate,” according to the family member’s statement conveyed by Cox.
Cox also said investigators found inscriptions on the shell casings. On one of the three unused casings, the engraved message read: “Hey fascist! Catch!”, while on a second casing it read “oh bella ciao.” The third casing read: “If you’re reading this, you’re gay, LMAO.”
Cox added that the rifle found was identified as a Mauser 9836 model, a bolt-action type weapon, which had a scope mounted on top. Cox mentioned that a friend of the perpetrator helped turn Robinson over to authorities in Washington County, in the southwest of the state. The Utah governor also stated that authorities “do not have information that would lead to further arrests.” He added that investigators believe the suspect acted alone, but the investigation is ongoing.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Robinson was arrested at 10 p.m. (local time) on Thursday, September 11. “That’s why we released the details so quickly and were so transparent. We are committed to this transparency,” Patel said, referring to the photos and video that authorities shared with the public to identify the suspect. Patel also stated that criminal evidence has been seized and is currently being evaluated. “The investigation is ongoing,” Patel emphasized. Meanwhile, the FBI director sent a message to Charlie Kirk during the press conference, saying: “To my friend, Charlie Kirk: Rest now, brother. We’ve got this. And I’ll see you in Valhalla,” he said.
