Utah Man Arrested in Connection With Charlie Kirk Murder
A young man from Utah suspected of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem has been taken into custody, Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday.
Arrest of the Suspect
Cox told reporters, “We got him.” The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, allegedly admitted or hinted to a family friend that he was responsible for the killing. That friend then alerted the Washington County sheriff’s office.
According to investigators, Robinson’s family noticed he had recently become more political and often spoke negatively about Kirk. Robinson was arrested Thursday night, around 33 hours after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel said during a press conference.
The Murder of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed by a single bullet while speaking at an outdoor amphitheater at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Investigators earlier recovered the bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the killing. They had also released images of a possible suspect before Robinson was identified.
Evidence Recovered
Authorities questioned Robinson’s roommate, who revealed Discord messages allegedly written by Robinson. In these chats, Robinson discussed retrieving a rifle from a drop point and later hiding it in a bush wrapped in a towel. This description matched the firearm police recovered in a wooded area near campus.
Governor Cox also noted that investigators found ammunition inscribed with bizarre messages, including phrases such as “What’s this,” “Bella Ciao,” “Hey fascist, catch!” and mocking insults.
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy
Kirk was a well-known activist, author, and podcast host. As the co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, he was instrumental in building support for Trump and the Republican Party among young voters.
Kirk was in Utah as part of his “American Comeback Tour” of 15 U.S. college campuses. His murder has sparked widespread outrage and condemnations of political violence from Democrats, Republicans, and international leaders.
