The shocking murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has taken a dramatic turn after police arrested a 22-year-old Utah man following a 33-hour nationwide manhunt. The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, was brought into custody late on Thursday after confessing to his father and agreeing to surrender with the help of a family pastor.
Arrest After Manhunt and Family Intervention
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old student from St George, Utah, was arrested on Thursday night.
He was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down while speaking at a Utah Valley University (UVU) debate event on Wednesday.
Robinson allegedly confessed to his father, telling him he would rather die than hand himself over to the police.
His father, Matthew Carl Robinson, then contacted a trusted family friend – a local youth pastor and court security officer – who helped convince Robinson to surrender.
US Marshals arrested the suspect around 10 pm local time in Washington County, Utah.
Trump Calls for Death Penalty
The arrest was announced publicly by US President Donald Trump, who strongly condemned the killing. Trump declared that Robinson should face the death penalty, reflecting the national anger and deep political divisions that the murder has ignited.
How the Attack Unfolded
Robinson allegedly arrived at the UVU campus four hours before the shooting.
He reportedly lay in wait before firing a single shot that killed Charlie Kirk instantly, sending students into panic.
Surveillance footage later confirmed that Robinson was wearing the same clothing seen at the scene when he was detained.
According to investigators:
A roommate provided police with Discord messages from an account named “Tyler,” which referred to picking up a rifle from a “drop point”.
Authorities later discovered a Mauser .30-06 bolt action rifle, wrapped in a towel, hidden in a wooded area near campus.
The gun had a mounted scope and was linked to the attack through engraved bullet casings.
The inscriptions included:
“Hey fascist! CATCH!”
“O Bella ciao, Bella ciao” – a reference to the famous Italian anti-fascist resistance song.
Political Radicalisation and Motives
Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that family members had noticed Robinson becoming increasingly political in recent years.
Robinson had allegedly spoken about Kirk’s visit to Utah, describing him as being “full of hate and spreading hate.”
Records show that Robinson was registered as a nonpartisan voter in Utah.
He did not participate in the last presidential election, while his parents are registered Republicans.
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet confirmed whether others may have been involved.
Charges Against Tyler Robinson
State prosecutors plan to file formal charges on Tuesday.
According to the Utah County Sheriff’s booking sheet, Robinson faces:
Aggravated murder
Obstruction of justice
Felony discharge of a firearm
Shock and Fear on Campus
Students and staff at Utah Valley University remain deeply shaken:
The campus has been closed since Wednesday, with police cordons and vehicles blocking entrances.
First-year student McKinley Shinkle said:
“He was apprehended in Washington County, which is where I’m from. I just feel deeply ashamed.”
Another student, Anthony Shinkle, added:
“I’m definitely relieved, but I’m anxious to know his motives and why this happened.”
Who Is Tyler Robinson?
Details emerging about the suspect paint a complex picture:
Age: 22
Hometown: St George, Utah, around 250 miles from UVU.
Education: Third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College.
Family background:
Father runs a kitchen countertop and cabinet business.
Mother is a social worker.
The family is Mormon and active in their local church community.
A Divided America
The killing of Charlie Kirk, a polarising figure in US politics, has further highlighted America’s deep political rifts.
Supporters see Kirk’s death as a politically motivated act of violence.
Critics worry the tragedy could fuel greater hostility and polarisation ahead of the 2026 election season.
Authorities continue to investigate Robinson’s online activity and possible influences leading up to the attack.
Sources
Official statements from Utah Governor Spencer Cox and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office
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