Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah as the suspect in the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Authorities have confirmed the identity of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. The suspect has been named as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, according to the Associated Press.
The Shooting Incident
On Wednesday, nearly 3,000 people attended Kirk’s rally when tragedy struck just 20 minutes in. A single gunshot rang out, striking Kirk in the neck as he spoke. Panic spread through the crowd as the 31-year-old collapsed on stage.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Kirk was pronounced dead 90 minutes later. The shocking incident has sent ripples across the nation, sparking outrage, grief, and urgent calls for stronger security at political events.
The Manhunt
Law enforcement, including the FBI and local authorities, immediately launched a large-scale manhunt. Surveillance footage later revealed a man jumping from a rooftop and fleeing the scene. A rifle and ammunition were also discovered in nearby woodland.
On Thursday night, Robinson was reportedly “walked in” near St. George, Utah after 11 p.m. Sources suggest that a close family member may have played a role in convincing him to surrender.
Trump’s Reaction
Former President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest during an appearance on Fox News. He hinted that Robinson’s father may have been the one to encourage his son to turn himself in.
“Somebody very close to him said, ‘That’s him,’ and went to the father and a U.S. marshal … and the father convinced the son, this is it,” Trump explained.
Trump went on to demand the harshest possible punishment, pointing out that Utah still enforces the death penalty.
Charlie Kirk’s suspected shooter has been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah, according to the Associated Press.
A manhunt has been underway to find the individual responsible for Kirk’s death on Wednesday. The right-wing political activist was shot through the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
Close to 3,000 people had gathered for the rally, when a single gunshot rang out 20 minutes in. The crowd erupted in panic as Kirk slumped in his seat. The 31-year-old was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead 90 minutes later.
Authorities leapt into action in the immediate aftermath of the killing, instigating a concentrated search for the culprit that involved the FBI.
The FBI yesterday released new footage of an individual jumping down from a rooftop and fleeing the scene, while a rifle and ammunition were found in nearby woodland.
President Donald Trump this morning made an appearance on Fox News, where he announced that a suspect had been taken into custody.
That suspect has now officially been named as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old living in Utah. Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich revealed that sources told her the suspect was “walked in” near St. George, Utah, after 11 p.m. Thursday.
During his appearance on Fox News, Trump implied that the suspect’s father may have played a role in turning him in.
“I’d rather not say right now, they’re going to announce it today sometime later, but somebody close to him turned him in … somebody who was very close to him said, ‘That’s him,’ and essentially, went to the father and went to a U.S. marshal … and the father convinced the son, this is it,” Trump said.
Trump also expressed his wish that the shooter be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Utah is one of the US states that still has the death penalty.
“I hope he’s found guilty and I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did — Charlie Kirk was the finest person, and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump said.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate Robinson’s motives and whether he acted alone. The FBI is urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Meanwhile, tributes for Kirk — a prominent conservative leader and co-founder of Turning Point USA — continue to flood social media, as supporters and political leaders mourn his sudden and tragic death.