Booking photo of Tyler Robinson
Courtesy: Utah Governor’s Office
In a shocking turn of events, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, has been identified as the suspected shooter in the fatal attack on conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The announcement was made by Utah Governor Spencer Cox during a press conference on Friday, following Robinson’s arrest overnight.
Robinson is currently being held at the Utah County Jail. His arrest came shortly after former President Donald Trump disclosed on Fox News that the individual believed to be responsible for Kirk’s death was in custody.
Booking photo of Tyler Robinson released by Utah Governor’s Office.
Courtesy: Utah Governor’s Office
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot while addressing an audience. The former president expressed his hope that Robinson would face the death penalty for his actions.
Governor Cox revealed that a family friend of Robinson’s had informed the sheriff’s office in Washington County that Robinson had either confessed to or implied involvement in the shooting. When law enforcement located Robinson early Friday morning, he was reportedly wearing clothing that matched what was captured on surveillance footage from the university.
In a disturbing twist, a family member indicated that Robinson had become increasingly political in recent years, raising questions about the motivations behind the attack.
Authorities recovered a Mauser model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope from a wooded area where Robinson fled after the shooting. The governor noted that several shell casings found alongside the weapon bore engravings, some of which referenced online memes and video games, suggesting a troubling connection between the shooter and contemporary digital culture.
One unfired casing was inscribed with the phrase, “hey fascist! CATCH!” while another featured directional arrows reminiscent of a video game input pattern. These engravings have raised eyebrows and prompted discussions about the intersection of online subcultures and real-world violence.
A combination photo shows a person of interest in the fatal shooting of U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, U.S., in security footage released by the Utah Department of Public Safety on September 11, 2025.
Utah Department Of Public Safety | Via Reuters
Governor Cox expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “This is a very sad day for the country, but I’m grateful that at this moment, we have an opportunity to bring closure to this very dark chapter in our nation’s history.” Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization dedicated to promoting conservative values among young people in high schools and colleges. He was in Orem for the first stop on the “American Comeback Tour,” a series of events aimed at galvanizing support for conservative causes.
During the event, Kirk was in the midst of responding to a question about mass shootings when he was shot in the neck, causing chaos as attendees fled in panic.
Prior to Robinson’s arrest, the FBI had released grainy images of a “person of interest” and video footage showing an individual jumping from a rooftop near the scene of the shooting. The agency had also offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s capture.
