US President Donald Trump announced in an interview with Fox News on Friday that law enforcement authorities had arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Times reported that the young man had confessed to the shooting. His father recognized Tyler in the footage and encouraged his son to turn himself in. He initially refused, but with the help of a youth pastor, he eventually turned himself in.
At the time of the shooting, the man was living with his parents in a single-family home. According to state records, he apparently had no prior criminal record. He was a registered voter but not affiliated with any political party.
A family member interviewed by investigators said Robinson had recently become more politically active and had made derogatory comments about Kirk, Cox confirmed.
In 2021, he reportedly attended Utah State University for one semester. A video on his mother's account suggests he also received a prestigious academic scholarship.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that Robinson had confessed to a family friend — or “hinted that he had committed a murder” — and that this person had subsequently contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.
The attack took place on September 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was performing as part of his “American Comeback Tour.”
The 31-year-old founder of the organization Turning Point USA was shot in the neck with a single bullet from a distance of more than 90 meters, presumably from the roof of the Losee Center.
He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Forensic analysis revealed that the shot was fired from a .30-06 Mauser rifle with optics. Investigators found the weapon hidden in a nearby forest. Engravings were found on the cartridge cases that suggest an ideological motive, but the motive for the crime has not yet been officially confirmed.
Death penalty
Trump described Kirk as “the best person who didn't deserve this” and confirmed that his father was said to have been involved in the arrest of the suspect.
He was arrested in the early hours of the morning in southern Utah. The president praised the work of the police and expressed his hope that the perpetrator would receive the death penalty. At the same time, he announced that he would attend Kirk's funeral in Arizona.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI in cooperation with local police. The FBI offered a reward of $100,000 (approximately €92,000) for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, which resulted in more than 7,000 tips and interviews with approximately 200 people.
Surveillance cameras captured the suspect entering the campus shortly before noon, climbing onto the roof, and leaving the building at 12:20 p.m. after the shooting.
The description of the suspect includes a black T-shirt with the American flag and eagle, sunglasses, a triangular hat, jeans, sneakers, and a black backpack.
Investigators have handprints, shoe prints, and possibly DNA. Two people were temporarily detained, one of whom is being charged with obstruction of justice.
He supported Trump
Charlie Kirk was one of the most prominent figures in the American conservative movement and a close ally of Trump. As founder and leader of Turning Point USA, he had been active since 2012, particularly among young voters.
The organization grew steadily, with its revenue rising from $4.3 million (€3.96 million) in 2016 to over $92 million (€84.6 million) in 2023.
Kirk was married to Erika Frantzve, they had two young children and lived in Scottsdale, Arizona.
His public appearances were often controversial and earned him accusations of anti-Semitism, homophobia, or racism, but at the same time, he gained strong support among young conservatives. He was a regular guest at the White House and actively supported Trump's campaign in 2024.
The attack sparked widespread reactions. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called it “political murder” and promised that the perpetrator would receive the death penalty.
Improvised memorials have sprung up at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, where mourners are calling for unity. Kirk's colleagues promise to continue his work and train a new generation of conservative leaders.
(reuters, fox news, red)