The suspect linked to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has been arrested.
The suspect has been identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, a resident of Utah. According to information provided to the press, Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that a family friend of Robinson reported him to authorities. Investigators interviewed a member of the Robinson family.
This family member mentioned that the suspect had become more interested in politics in recent years. Robinson had also spoken about Charlie Kirk visiting Utah University in the days leading up to the incident. They discussed their dislike of Kirk and his views. This family member also stated that Kirk “spreads hatred.”
In relation to the case, President Trump, speaking on the Fox & Friends program, emphasized that “a very close person” to the suspect had turned him in to authorities.
“I believe with very high certainty, we have him. This is breaking news – we have the person we believe to be the perpetrator,” Trump said.
The U.S. president stated that he received the information just before entering the studio in New York.
Trump had previously stated that if convicted, the suspect could face the death penalty. “He will be convicted, I believe. And I hope he will receive the death penalty,” he remarked.
President Trump mentioned that he had not watched the video recording of the shooting as he did not want to remember Charlie Kirk in that way.
When asked by the Fox & Friends hosts whether the shooting was a “lone act” or part of a “larger network,” Trump responded: “I can’t say for certain yet.”
Regarding the person who turned in the suspect, Trump shared, “It was a pastor, and this pastor reached out to a friend—also a pastor who has connections with law enforcement, and this close friend is a senior agent with the U.S. Marshal Service. They coordinated from there. Then, the father of the suspect also got involved, telling them they had to turn themselves in.”
The manhunt for the suspect had previously faced challenges due to delayed, confusing, and conflicting information from multiple sources.
At the forest where the shooter was hiding, investigators seized a heavy-duty assault rifle, but it is still unclear how far the suspect had managed to move.
Several photos of the suspect were released, showing a man wearing jeans, a long-sleeve shirt with an American flag design, a cap, and black sunglasses. FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety officials described the assassin as being in his “college-age years.”
Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University while speaking at an event on campus. Kirk is one of the most influential figures on the conservative side, playing a pivotal role in Trump’s effort to engage young voters in the 2024 election.
