Police have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the killing of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, Utah officials said Friday.
Robinson, a Utah resident, is being held in the Utah County Jail on preliminary charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm, according to an inmate booking record. Formal charges are expected Tuesday, the Utah County Attorney’s Office said.
Cox said Robinson confessed to his father after authorities released photos of the suspected gunman. Federal officials said Robinson initially resisted turning himself in and expressed suicidal thoughts. His father contacted a family pastor, who helped calm him and alerted the U.S. Marshals Service. Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday and later turned over to the FBI, Director Kash Patel said.
Cox said Robinson is believed to have acted alone. “There is no information at this time that would lead to any additional arrests,” he said. The governor praised Robinson’s family for contacting law enforcement.
President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, announced the arrest earlier Friday on “Fox and Friends.” Trump later ordered flags flown at half-staff through Sunday and said Kirk would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Shooting on Campus
Kirk, 31, was killed Wednesday during a “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University, part of his group’s “American Comeback Tour.” More than 3,000 people attended the event, police said.
Witnesses said Kirk had just begun debating gun violence when he was shot once in the neck. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said the shot came from the Losee Center for Student Success, with law enforcement believing it was fired from the roof.
The gunman fled into a nearby neighborhood after jumping off the building, Mason said. Investigators later recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded area nearby.
Evidence Under Review
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said investigators linked the rifle to the shooting. Cox said messages referencing the weapon were tied to a Discord account believed to belong to Robinson, but the company said the posts were not made on its platform.
Cox also confirmed inscriptions were found on one fired bullet casing and three unfired casings. Phrases included “Hey fascist, catch!” and a lyric from the Italian resistance song “Bella Ciao.” Cox declined to interpret the meaning.
Background on the Suspect
Robinson is a third-year electrical apprentice at Dixie Technical College, according to state higher education officials. He previously attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021. State records show he is registered as an unaffiliated voter but has not voted in recent elections.
Robinson is the oldest of three brothers. His father owns a countertop installation business, and his mother is a licensed social worker. FBI agents were seen searching his parents’ home Friday.
