A legal analyst called Friday for more arrests after authorities arrested a 22-year-old man they say killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
Tyler Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday in St. George, Utah, after investigators say he climbed onto a campus roof and fatally shot Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025. Phil Holloway, a legal analyst, said publicly that Discord messages and evidence suggesting someone supplied a rifle to the suspect indicate others may have been involved and could face criminal liability.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters at a Friday briefing that Robinson allegedly discussed details of the attack with his roommate on the Discord app, including messages about stowing and retrieving a rifle from a “drop point.” Cox said a family member of Robinson contacted a family friend, who then notified the Washington County Sheriff’s Office after the family member said Robinson had confessed or implied involvement.
Investigators also interviewed Robinson’s roommate, Cox said, and were provided with messages that referenced watching an area where a rifle had been left, wrapping the rifle in a towel and engraving bullets. Cox said Robinson’s family was involved in his surrender and that law enforcement had not expected additional arrests as of Friday morning.
Holloway, on the social platform X, argued that if Robinson communicated with others about the assassination and someone provided the weapon, that could amount to a conspiracy and warrant further charges. He said a person who knew of the intended crime and took an affirmative act — including providing a gun or encouragement — could be criminally liable. He also raised the possibility of a “straw purchase,” in which another person legally buys a firearm and then gives it to the buyer, a federal firearms offense.
Robinson, a 22-year-old who briefly attended Utah State University and was later enrolled at Dixie Technical College in an electrical apprenticeship program, was described by family as having become more political in recent years. Cox said Robinson allegedly climbed onto the roof of the Losee Center on the UVU campus and fired one shot from about 200 yards, striking Kirk in the neck while Kirk was taking questions at an event billed as part of an "America's Comeback" tour.
Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was killed at the event. Memorials honoring Kirk were held across the United States and abroad following the shooting.
Authorities continue to investigate how Robinson obtained the weapon and whether others were involved, Cox said. He provided investigators with accounts from family and the roommate, and law enforcement sources have released photographs of a person of interest taken around the time of the shooting. Prosecutors had not announced formal charges beyond the public characterization of Robinson as a suspect as of Friday.
Officials did not disclose additional operational details of the investigation, and law enforcement asked anyone with relevant information to come forward. Holloway said that tracing the weapon’s origin and reviewing communications could yield additional criminal charges if they show coordination or illicit firearm procurement. The investigation remains ongoing.