The FBI has provided a detailed account of the arrest of a suspect involved in the shooting of US activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
During a press conference held today (September 12), the agency announced the capture of Tyler Robinson, following a two-day manhunt. Robinson was identified as the suspect in the case.
This announcement follows the tragic shooting of Kirk, a well-known political commentator and father-of-two, who was killed while addressing a gathering organized by his company, Turning Point USA, on Wednesday (September 10).
After the incident, authorities sought public assistance to identify the shooter seen on a rooftop near the Utah campus.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox initiated the press conference with the statement: “We got him.”
Governor Cox elaborated on the FBI’s process of apprehending Robinson, noting that a tip was received from a family member of the suspect. This family member had relayed information through a family friend, who then reached out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Governor Cox indicated that the tipster shared insights suggesting ‘Robinson had confessed or implied his involvement in the incident’.
Further investigation led to an interview with a family member of Robinson, who mentioned the suspect’s increasing political engagement in recent years.
One particular incident prior to the September 10 shooting was recounted, where Robinson had discussed Kirk’s upcoming visit to Utah Valley University during a family dinner.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox noted.
Additional evidence linking Robinson to the crime came from video footage showing him arriving at the shooting scene in a Dodge Challenger at around 08:29 local time on September 10.
The video depicted the suspect wearing a ‘plain maroon t-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light-colored shoes’.
Upon confronting Robinson on September 12, investigators found him wearing clothes matching those seen in the footage.
Governor Cox extended his gratitude to law enforcement, the FBI, and the public for their cooperation in the investigation, and commended Robinson’s family for notifying the authorities.
“I especially want to thank the family of Charlie Kirk,” he stated. “I want us to be thinking of them as we bring justice to this case.”
If you or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence, more information and support can be found through Survivors Empowered on their website.