OREM, Utah — Authorities have released the mugshot of Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect accused of assassinating conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk during a high-profile event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday.
Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday night near St. George, Utah, approximately 250 miles southwest of the UVU campus. According to investigators, Robinson confessed to his father, Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson, that he carried out the attack. Sheriff Robinson immediately contacted federal authorities, secured his son, and turned him over to law enforcement. The arrest was finalized around 11:00 p.m. local time, with Robinson formally booked into the Utah County Jail at 7:58 a.m. MT Friday, following an official arrest time recorded at 4:00 a.m. MT.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
At a press conference Thursday night, law enforcement officials confirmed that Tyler Robinson will face capital charges and could be subject to the death penalty if convicted. Federal and state authorities, including the FBI, ATF, and Utah Department of Public Safety, are actively investigating the case.
Pre-Attack Activity and Weapons Evidence
Investigators disclosed that Robinson had messaged his roommate prior to the shooting, instructing him to retrieve the rifle allegedly used in the attack.
Authorities recovered shell casings from the scene with engraved writings and symbols, which may provide insight into the suspect’s mindset:
- Fired casing: “Notices bulges. OwO What’s this?”
- Unfired casings:
- “Hey fascist! Catch!
- “O Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao”
- “If you read this, you are gay lmao”
A Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered in a wooded area near the UVU campus. The firearm had been wrapped in a towel, with one spent cartridge in the chamber and three live rounds in the magazine. The FBI has taken custody of the weapon and ammunition for DNA and fingerprint analysis, while the ATF conducts additional forensic examinations.
Shooting Timeline
Surveillance footage from the day of the attack shows a man dressed in black moving with a noticeable hobble as he approached the UVU campus around 11:49 a.m. Authorities believe the rifle was concealed under his clothing. By 11:52 a.m., the suspect was on campus.
Investigators said Robinson climbed onto the roof of an adjacent building and fired a single fatal round into a crowded courtyard where Kirk was speaking to approximately 3,000 attendees at his “Prove Me Wrong” debate event. After the shooting, Robinson fled on foot.
Background on Tyler Robinson
Little is publicly known about Robinson’s recent personal activities, but family members told investigators that he had become more politically active in recent years and had expressed disdain for Charlie Kirk in the weeks leading up to the shooting.
Video circulating online shows Robinson receiving a scholarship award to Utah State University, where he had reportedly been enrolled, highlighting a stark contrast between his academic achievements and his alleged violent actions.
National Response
On Friday morning, former President Donald Trump confirmed Robinson’s arrest, emphasizing that the suspect had been “turned in by his own father.” Trump praised law enforcement for their swift action and paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, calling him “a great patriot and friend.”
The White House announced that Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will accompany Kirk’s body aboard Air Force Two to Phoenix, Arizona, for funeral services.
Utah officials urged residents to remain calm and cautioned the public against speculation as the investigation continues.
“This is a tragic moment for Utah and for our country,” a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Public Safety said. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
Ongoing Investigation
The incident remains one of the most high-profile cases in Utah’s recent history, combining elements of targeted political violence, family involvement, and questions of radicalization that are now the focus of federal and state investigations.
Leave a Reply