Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as he addressed a large crowd at an outdoor debate. Officials described it as a “targeted attack,” and it drew condemnation from both sides of the political aisle as authorities launched a massive search for the suspect.
On Friday, officials announced they have a person in custody for the fatal shooting. They identified him as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who resides in southern Utah.
Kirk, who co-founded the right-wing advocacy group Turning Point USA, was 31. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children.
Here is what we know so far about the assassination and ongoing investigation.
Who is the suspect?
More details about Robinson and what happened before and after the attack are emerging.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson is not a student at Utah Valley University, where the attack took place, and has been living with his family in Washington County, located in the southwestern corner of the state. Family members said Robinson had “become more political” in recent years, the governor said.
Utah State University said Robinson briefly attended the school for one semester in 2021.
FBI Director Kash Patel said he was taken into custody at 10 p.m. local time Thursday night, though Utah officials said it was in the early hours of Friday.
President Trump first broke the news on “Fox and Friends” that someone had been taken into custody.
“With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody. Everyone did a great job,” the president said.
Cox said messages on Discord, an instant messages and social media platform, that were reviewed by investigators referenced a rifle wrapped in a towel that was left in the woods and engravings on bullets. The messages came from a person named “Tyler” and were shared with an unidentified individual, Cox said.
The governor said authorities believe Robinson acted alone and said there is currently no information that would lead to additional arrests. He told reporters Friday morning he can’t answer questions about the possible motive of the suspect.
Charging documents will likely be filed early next week, he said.
How the suspect was captured
Cox said Robinson’s father recognized his son as the subject of photos that were released by law enforcement and urged him to turn himself in. Robinson’s father also reported his son to clergy, who took the tip to the U.S. Marshals Service, two law enforcement sources said.
Investigators reviewed video footage and said they identified Robinson arriving on Utah Valley University’s campus in a gray Dodge Challenger at around 8:29 a.m. local time Wednesday, the day of the shooting, according to the governor. Robinson was wearing a plain maroon T-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light-colored shoes, Cox said.
He is believed to have changed clothing on the roof, where the shot was fired from, before changing back into what he was originally wearing. When investigators encountered Robinson, he was wearing clothing consistent with that outfit, the governor said.
