Authorities in Utah have confirmed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the fatal shooting of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this week. Governor Spencer Cox announced the development on Friday, declaring, “We got him,” after Robinson was taken into custody following a tip from a family member. Officials revealed that Robinson had recently become more politically radicalized and had spoken negatively about Kirk in the days leading up to the attack at Utah Valley University.
Investigators said Robinson was identified as the gunman after surveillance footage showed him scaling a building and fleeing into a wooded area near the university, where police later recovered a high-powered, bolt-action Mauser rifle believed to have been used in the killing. The FBI confirmed that several cartridges were found, including a spent round in the weapon’s chamber, and the firearm is undergoing forensic testing. Authorities are still investigating whether Robinson acted alone or had connections to a wider network.
Kirk, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was struck by a single fatal shot while speaking on campus. His killing sparked national outrage and underscored rising concerns over politically motivated violence in the United States. The FBI had offered a $100,000 reward for information on the suspect, while federal and state officials pursued more than 7,000 public tips during the manhunt.
Robinson’s capture came after his father and a local minister intervened, urging him to surrender. According to Trump, who spoke in a Fox News interview, the suspect was taken to police headquarters after confessing to relatives. President Trump later said he would attend Kirk’s funeral and posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, describing Kirk as a “bigger voice now because of what happened.”
Kirk’s body was flown to Arizona on Thursday aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and members of his family. Vigils have been held across Utah and Arizona to honor his legacy, while Turning Point USA has pledged to continue its work. The case remains under investigation as officials seek to determine the motive behind Robinson’s attack and whether others may have assisted him.
