Charlie Kirk Shooting: Utah Officials Name 22-Year-Old Tyler Robinson as Suspect After Arrest
Story: written by Okafor Joseph September 13,2025
Utah authorities have identified Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, as the suspected shooter in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson was arrested overnight and booked into the Utah County Jail, Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Friday.
The arrest was first revealed by former President Donald Trump during a Fox News appearance earlier in the day, where he called for the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem during the launch of the group’s American Comeback Tour. Witnesses said the gunman struck Kirk in the neck as he answered a question about mass shootings, sparking panic among attendees.
Governor Cox said investigators were tipped off after a friend of Robinson’s family contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday evening, claiming Robinson had either confessed or hinted at his involvement.
When law enforcement encountered Robinson early Friday, he was reportedly wearing clothing that matched footage from UVU surveillance cameras taken shortly before the shooting.
Authorities also recovered a Mauser model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a scope in a wooded area near the crime scene. Several shell casings found with the weapon were engraved with disturbing messages referencing internet memes and video games. One casing, Cox said, was inscribed with: “hey fascist! CATCH!”
“This is a very sad day for our country,” Cox stated. “But I am grateful that at this moment, we have an opportunity to bring closure to this dark chapter.”
The FBI, which had earlier offered a $100,000 reward and released images of a person of interest, confirmed Robinson’s arrest as the manhunt concluded.
