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Orem, UT (WNN) - Authorities announced early Friday morning, September 12th, that the suspect in the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been arrested, ending a more than 24-hour manhunt.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington County, Utah, was taken into custody in southern Utah. He faces charges for the murder of Kirk, which happened while Kirk was speaking during his "Prove Me Wrong" tour, September 10th, 2025, at Utah Valley University.
According to law enforcement, after the shooting had occurred, Robinson told his father, Matt, what happened. His dad then took action to ensure his son's safety and got help from a youth minister who knew people in law enforcement.
Together, they convinced Robinson to turn himself in. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and President Donald Trump spoke about how Robinson's father and the minister worked together to make that happen.
President Trump confirmed the arrest on Fox & Friends Friday, saying, "I think with a high degree of certainty we have him," he said.
FBI footage of Tyler Robinson leaving the scene.
FBI
The FBI released new surveillance video Thursday of the shooter leaving the scene. Six images of the same suspect had been shared earlier in the day. They described the gunman as a "college-age" male who "blended in well" with students. The FBI offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference on Friday morning that investigators interviewed a family member of Robinson's who said he had "become more political in recent years."
“The family member referenced a recent incident in which Robinson came to dinner before September 10, and in the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to UVU," Cox said. "They talked about why they didn't like him and his viewpoints."
Cox said investigators also interviewed Robinson's roommate, who showed authorities messages on Discord between Robinson and his roommate. Those messages, linked to the name Tyler, talked about needing to get a rifle from a drop-off spot and that they had left the rifle hidden in a bush. There were also references to engraving bullets, wrapping the rifle in a towel, and a note about the rifle being one of a kind.
Officials made it clear that Tyler Robinson never attended Utah Valley University. He lived in Washington County but was not enrolled at the university.
Law enforcement and FBI agents used surveillance footage and tips from Robinson's father and the youth minister to track Robinson to southern Utah, where he was found and arrested. The arrest ended a nationwide search that lasted three days.
Authorities said on Thursday that they recovered a "high-powered, bolt-action rifle" in a wooded area just off the university campus in conditions that match Robinson's messages. Cox said the rifle was a Mauser model 9830 odd six-caliber, 36-caliber bolt-action rifle with a scope mounted on top. He added that inscriptions were engraved on bullet casings found with the rifle.
One of the inscriptions had the lyrics to the Italian folk song “Bella Ciao," Cox said. Another read “Hey fascists! Catch!” with an up arrow, a right arrow, and three down arrows. A third stated, "If you read this, you are gay.”
As of now, no motive for the shooting has been released. Early reports state that Robinson was not affiliated with any political party. Robinson is facing charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice.
Trump says he hopes Robinson gets the "death penalty. "I hope that he was going to be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did, Charlie Kirk, was the finest person, but he didn't deserve this. He worked so hard and so well. Everybody liked him. I've been watching, even the left is having a hard time."
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