Utah Governor Confirms Arrest of Suspect in Charlie Kirk Killing

Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Friday confirmed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, named as the suspect in the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk after an intensive manhunt.

“We got him,” Cox announced at a press conference, revealing that the arrest came after a relative of Robinson confided in a friend, who then alerted police. The breakthrough brought a measure of relief to a deeply divided nation grappling with the shocking political murder that took place on Wednesday.

Kirk, 31, was struck by a single bullet to the neck while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem. Known for his influence in conservative politics, he had played a key role in energizing young voters for Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign last November. President Trump quickly elevated the case to national importance, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast and pledging to attend Kirk’s funeral.

Though celebrated by his supporters, Kirk’s hardline positions on race, gender, gun rights, and accusations of antisemitism made him one of the most polarizing figures in American politics. Authorities said the motive for the shooting remains unclear, but Governor Cox disclosed that anti-fascist slogans had been scrawled on unused bullet casings. One read, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” while another bore the words “Bella ciao,” a reference to an Italian World War II-era anti-fascist song. Other cartridges carried symbols linked to online gaming culture.

The arrest came 33 hours after the attack. Investigators quickly located the suspected murder weapon — a high-powered hunting rifle — and released surveillance images of a casually dressed man in a baseball cap. Two unrelated suspects were detained and released before authorities appealed to the public for more information late Thursday.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Robinson was taken into custody at 10:00 pm on Thursday. Cox credited the suspect’s family for their cooperation, saying, “On the evening of September 11th, a family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend, who contacted the Washington County sheriff’s office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident.”

Students at Utah Valley University expressed shock and fear over the killing, which many viewed as a sign of growing political tensions. Vigils were held in Orem Park on Thursday evening, where hundreds of mourners wearing red MAGA hats and holding American flags prayed and observed a moment of silence.

President Trump, calling Kirk a “martyr,” declared that he would seek the death penalty for the gunman. Kirk’s coffin was later flown to Phoenix aboard Vice President JD Vance’s official plane, with Vance pictured resting his hands on the casket as it was carried from Air Force 2.

Kirk, a father of two, co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, where his charisma and social media presence turned him into a leading figure among conservative youth. 

Through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, he promoted anti-immigration policies, gun ownership, outspoken Christianity, and shared widely circulated clips of his fiery college debates.