The FBI unveiled a photo of Tyler Robinson, 22, suspected of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, a prominent supporter of the MAGA movement, during a speech at a university event in Utah.
At a press briefing today, the FBI and authorities confirmed Robinson as the individual connected to the shooting. Robinson was apprehended in Utah after confessing to a family member, who then alerted authorities through a family friend.
During the press conference, Utah Governor Spencer Cox greeted the news of Robinson’s capture by stating, “We got him.”
Allegedly, Robinson either admitted to or implied his involvement in the shooting, as mentioned by the governor. This revelation followed a statement by Donald Trump on Fox News, expressing confidence in the identity of the suspect in custody.
Trump detailed that a close acquaintance of the suspect, described as a “person of faith, a minister,” persuaded the suspect to surrender to authorities at the behest of the suspect’s father.
The incident occurred when Kirk, known for his conservative activism, was shot in the neck at a public discussion event at Utah Valley University. Investigators identified Robinson from footage showing the alleged shooter arriving in a Dodge Challenger on September 10.
When approached by investigators on September 12, Robinson was wearing attire matching the description from the footage, including a maroon t-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light-colored shoes.
Authorities learned from Robinson’s family that he had become more politically active recently. They also found inscriptions on bullet casings associated with a bolt-action rifle recovered at the scene.
Governor Cox pointed out an engraving on one of the bullet casings, indicating a message that he left open to interpretation. He suggested that one of the engravings read “catch fascists,” implying a clear message.
Family videos shared online depicted Robinson enjoying a fishing trip with relatives and receiving an acceptance letter from a university in a video posted by his mother. Robinson is from Washington, Utah, located about 260 miles south of where the shooting occurred in Orem. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown.