Tyler Robinson is suspected of shooting and killing Charlie Kirk. Utah Governor’s Office via Associated Press
Dear Commons Community,
Authorities announced yesterday that Utah officials have detained a 22-year-old man suspected of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday at Utah Valley University after a family member helped turn him in.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) confirmed the arrest in a press conference. As reported by various news media.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We got him,” Cox began.
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, was not a UVU student and lived in southwest Utah, some 250 miles from the site of the shooting. He was charged with state felony offenses including aggravated murder — which carries the possibility of the death penalty — along with obstruction of justice and discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, per The Associated Press.
Robinson, 22, a Utah native who had been living with his parents “for a long time”, authorities said.
Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognized him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.
That family member was apparently Robinson’s father, who encouraged him to turn himself in, the BBC’s US partner CBS News has reported, citing two law enforcement sources. The father then reportedly contacted a family friend who informed the sheriff’s office.
At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss Robinson’s background, political leanings, or possible motive, saying the investigation was ongoing.
“We are confident we have the right individual in custody,” an FBI spokesperson said, “but we are still working to establish the full picture of who he is and why he acted.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said a family member interviewed by investigators stated that Robinson had become “more political” in recent years.
The relative also said that during a dinner conversation before the attack, Robinson had discussed Kirk’s upcoming event at Utah Valley University, according to Cox.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said referring to the conversation.
Public records reviewed by the BBC suggest Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. His parents, Matthew Carl Robinson and Amber Denise Robinson are registered Republicans, according to state records.
Robinson was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting.
In a statement, the Utah Board of Higher Education said Tyler James Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College.
“He previously spent one semester at Utah State University in 2021 and earned concurrent enrolment credits through Utah Tech University while in high school between 2019 and 2021,” it added.
Social media accounts indicate Robinson’s father runs a kitchen countertop and cabinet installation business, while his mother is a social worker. The family is Mormon and active in the local church.
Robinson’s upbringing appears to be typical of a Utah suburb. He was awarded a scholarship to Utah State University but only attended for one semester in 2021, according to CNN and a statement from the school. A neighbor told NBC News that Robinson was “smart,” “quiet” and “never caused any problems.”
Tony
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