OREM, Utah — A young man suspected of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has been taken into custody, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday.
“We got him,” Cox told reporters, announcing the arrest.
The suspect was identified as Tyler Robinson, who allegedly confessed—or strongly implied—to a family friend that he had committed the crime. That friend then contacted the Washington County sheriff’s office, leading to Robinson’s arrest Thursday night, just 33 hours after Kirk’s killing.
The Shooting That Shocked America
Kirk, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday while speaking onstage at an outdoor amphitheater at Utah Valley University.
Authorities said he was killed by a single bullet, sending shockwaves across the political landscape and sparking condemnation of violence from both Democrats and Republicans.
Suspect’s Political Shift
Governor Cox revealed that Robinson’s family had noticed troubling changes in him. He had become more politically outspoken in recent months and had expressed hostility toward Kirk.
Investigators also discovered disturbing conversations on Discord, a platform popular among gamers. Robinson allegedly wrote about retrieving a rifle from a drop point, later abandoning it wrapped in a towel near campus. This description matched the bolt-action rifle authorities recovered.
Chilling Details Emerge
Cox disclosed that ammunition found at the scene carried strange, mocking inscriptions. Among them were:
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“What’s this”
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“Oh, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Ciao”
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“If you read this, you are gay, LMAO”
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“Hey fascist, catch!”
These details painted a picture of a crime laced with dark humor and political undertones.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, only in his early 30s, had built a powerful reputation in U.S. politics. He was the co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, a conservative student movement, and a prominent author and podcast host.
He was on a planned 15-campus “American Comeback Tour” when he was killed in Orem.
Kirk was widely credited for mobilizing young voters in support of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. His sudden death left a void in conservative circles and drew global condemnation of political violence.
The FBI, state police, and local authorities continue to investigate Robinson’s motives. For now, his arrest marks the first step in seeking justice for a killing that has shaken not just Utah—but the entire nation.
