Former President Donald Trump said he hoped the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk would be executed after law enforcement arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, on Friday following a two-day nationwide manhunt.
Robinson was unmasked as the suspect after his father, Matt Robinson, recognized images the FBI had released, detained his son and, according to authorities, extracted a confession. The father contacted a clergyman friend who alerted the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Marshals arrested Robinson at about 10 p.m. local time at his home in southern Utah. Robinson is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, according to local officials.
Kirk, 31, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA and a prominent voice among young conservatives, was shot once in the neck while participating in a public debate on the Utah Valley University (UVU) campus on Wednesday. He died hours after the noon shooting, which occurred in front of an audience of thousands.
Authorities said the shooter used a bolt-action Mauser .30-06 rifle fitted with a scope and that officers later found the weapon wrapped in a towel in nearby woods. Investigators recovered bullet casings engraved with messages, including one that read, "Hey, fascist, catch!" and others bearing a phrase associated with the anti-fascist movement and lyrics from the partisan song "Bella Ciao." An unfired round was stamped with a derogatory slur, the FBI said.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said investigators had reviewed social media messages and interviewed a former flatmate who provided messages posted under the name "Tyler" on the Discord app that discussed retrieving and abandoning a rifle, engraving bullets and changing clothing during the operation. Discord disputed some of the information the FBI and Utah officials described as being posted on its platform.
During a live appearance on Fox News, Trump described Kirk as "the finest person" and said he hoped the accused would receive the death penalty. Cox said state authorities intend to pursue capital punishment. Utah is among the states that allow capital punishment and one of a few that permit execution by firing squad as well as lethal injection.
FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson had been on the run for roughly 33 hours before his arrest and praised investigators' progress in the case. Public safety officials said Robinson was compliant when detained and that two people arrested earlier in the investigation were released after being ruled out as suspects.
Robinson, described by relatives as an electrical apprentice, was pictured on social media with firearms as a child and teenager, a fact relatives cited while expressing shock at the allegations. A grandmother told media outlets she was confused by the accusation and said her grandson had grown up in a Republican family but had not discussed politics with her. State officials said Robinson had spoken to a relative about disliking Kirk and accused him of "spreading hate." Authorities cautioned that motive remained under investigation.
Investigators pieced together a timeline showing Robinson arriving on campus in a gray Dodge Challenger at 8:29 a.m. on the day of the shooting, according to officials. Surveillance video released by the FBI showed a suspect in dark clothing and sunglasses moving through a stairwell; officials said the clothing matched what Robinson wore when officers questioned him.
Kirk had been scheduled to lead a Turning Point USA event at UVU and had recently been embarking on a campus tour. A polarizing figure on the right, he maintained a national profile and close ties to conservative political circles. Officials said funeral arrangements were being planned and that Trump intended to attend.
Authorities said they will pursue the judicial process. Robinson faces state-level charges that could carry the death penalty if prosecutors and a court determine the case qualifies for capital punishment. Federal authorities continue to assist in the investigation, and Utah officials said additional details, including the formal filing of charges and pretrial proceedings, will be released as the case moves forward.