EERIE surveillance footage, brazen Discord messages, and tips from brave family members all led to the capture of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin.
Utah native Tyler Robinson, 22, evaded a massive manhunt for 33 hours before authorities finally captured him 250 miles away from the shooting scene.
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On Wednesday at 12:10 pm, a single shot was fired at the influential 31-year-old organizer as he hosted an outdoor Q&A event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Horrific videos posted on social media showed blood spurring from a wound near his neck as attendees screamed and pressed their bodies to the ground.
A massive police presence flocked to the campus, including local, state, and federal authorities.
Two persons of interest were arrested, but they were later let go, and a suspect was never identified until Robinson’s arrest.
On Thursday morning at 9:55 am local time, the FBI released surveillance images of the suspect and begged for the public’s help in identifying him.
According to law enforcement, this led to the first major break in the case.
Robinson was captured wearing an American flag t-shirt with “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” emblazoned on the front, Converse Chuck Taylors, and holding a backpack.
Cops said all these distinctive identifying features helped them track the suspect’s movements across multiple cameras and neighborhoods around the university to home in on him.
Tyler Robinson’s dad recognized that the young man was his son, and when he confronted Robinson about the images, the suspect admitted to committing the crime, authorities told CNN.
The father reportedly told a youth pastor about the situation, who informed the US Marshals about what he heard.
Robinson was arrested on Thursday in his hometown of St. George in southern Utah at 10 pm.
On Friday morning, Utah Governor Spencer Cox gave a press conference and lifted the lid on all the other chilling evidence that pointed authorities to the 22-year-old.
Surveillance video showed Robinson driving a Dodge Challenger onto UVU’s campus at around 8:30 am the morning before the shooting, Cox said.
After speaking with a family member, authorities learned that Robinson drove the same car.
What we know so far:
- Suspected assassin Tyler Robinson has been taken into custody after a sweeping manhunt
- He was turned in after he confessed to his dad
- Chilling footage shows the suspect fleeing after the shooting
- Pictures and video released by the FBI show a person of interest wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and sunglasses
- The student speaking to Kirk as he died broke his silence
- Charlie Kirk’s body was taken back to his hometown in Arizona
- Kirk’s widow, Erika, was seen for the first time since his death
- Two people previously taken into custody were released, including an elderly man hauled from the scene in handcuffs
- The FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information
- Utah’s governor said officials will seek the death penalty for the shooter
- Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Medal of Freedom
That same relative explained that Robinson had gotten more political in recent years, and even mentioned disliking Kirk and his ideas when they had dinner together soon before the shooting.
Detectives also interviewed Robinson’s roommate, who showed them eerie Discord messages that appeared to be the suspect discussing drop-off points for the rifle, Cox said.
Discord later clarified that these were “communications between the suspect’s roommate and a friend after the shooting, where the roommate was recounting the contents of a note the suspect had left elsewhere.”
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EERIE MESSAGES
Detectives found a hunting rifle believed to be the murder weapon and bullet cartridges with eerie messages scrawled on the sides.
The gun was ditched in a patch of brush near UVU’s Losee Center, which is about 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking.
Authorities believe that Robinson camped out on the gravel-covered roof before firing the fatal shot.
The gun is a Mauser model 9830 odd six caliber, 36 caliber bolt action rifle with a scope mounted on top.
Inside the firearm, cops uncovered unfired cartridges with anti-fascist ideology and sexual taunts written on the sides.
Writing found on Tyler Robinson’s ammunition
Utah Governor Spencer Cox read out a list of messages that were found engraved on suspect Tyler Robinson’s bullet casings. The words seem to reference online gaming culture and antifascist ideology. Below are some of the inscriptions that have been revealed and their possible meanings:
- “‘Hey fascist! Catch!’ followed by up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrow symbols” – controller button instructions to release a bomb in the video game Helldivers.
- “Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao” – lyrics from an Italian song used as a rally cry for anti-fascist resistance fighters during WWII.
- “If you read this you are gay LMAO” – LMAO stands for laughing my ass off.
- “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?” – an internet meme used by gamers referencing furries and animated videos.
The cartridges were found next to the gun that officials say was used to kill Charlie Kirk.
One message said “Hey fascist! Catch!” followed up by an up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrow symbols – which are controller button instructions to release a bomb in the video game Helldivers.
Another case said “Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao,” which are lyrics from an Italian song used as a rally cry for anti-fascist resistance fighters in World War II.
One bizarre expression written on a casing was “*Notices bulges* OwO what’s this?” which is an older internet meme now ironically used by gamers.
A different cartridge read, “If you read this you are gay lmao.”
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MOM’S FACEBOOK POSTS
Robinson was a high-achieving student who appeared to enjoy hunting and checking out different firearms, according to Facebook posts on his mom’s now-deleted account.
In one video shared by the mom, the suspect read a letter announcing that he had secured an elite full-ride scholarship at Utah State University that’s only offered to top applicants.
According to the university’s website, students applying for the 2025-26 academic year must have a minimum 3.75 high school GPA and a 33 on the ACT or a 1450 on the SAT to be considered for the award.
Utah State confirmed that Robinson attended the school in 2021, but he dropped out after one semester.
In another bizarre post on Robinson’s mom’s account from 2017, the suspect was wearing a Halloween costume that made him look like he was sitting on Trump’s shoulder.
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GRANDMOTHER BLINDSIDED
Robinson’s grandmother Debbie Robinson was utterly blindsided by the news of her grandson’s arrest and called him shy and kind despite the terrifying charges.
Even after seeing the stash of evidence presented by authorities, Debbie insisted that cops had the wrong man.
“He’s a wonderful child,” she told the Daily Mail.
“There is no way that he could have done anything like this […] He has never, ever gotten in trouble in his life. He’s just a very shy, good kid.
Debbie said their entire family was staunchly Republican, and that Robinson’s parents were devout Trump supporters.
She said Robinson never spoke about politics with her, and that she hadn’t heard of him suffering from any mental health issues.
“I’m just so confused,” said the heartbroken grandmother.
Charlie Kirk’s rise to hero of the youth MAGA movement
CHARLIE Kirk transformed conservative youth activism from a marginal movement into a powerful force before his assassination on a college campus at 31.
Kirk was an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality who rose to prominence as the co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
He launched the organization in 2012 when he was just 18 years old, with the goal of promoting conservative principles to high school and college students and became a significant figure in American politics by building a massive grassroots network, framing himself as a “culture warrior.”
The rise of Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA’s mission was to counter what Kirk and his allies saw as liberal dominance on American college campuses.
It quickly grew to prominence through his use of provocative activism and viral social media campaigns.
They created watchlists of professors pushing leftist propaganda and organized events to debate students on controversial topics.
The strategy helped them gain a significant following and financial backing from wealthy conservative donors.
Kirk’s ability to connect with a new generation of conservatives was one of his most notable impacts.
He cultivated a style of political engagement that was heavily reliant on social media, podcasts, and confrontational public appearances.
His organization’s events, such as the annual Student Action Summit, drew thousands of young attendees and featured prominent conservative speakers, creating a new kind of political ecosystem for young people who felt alienated from traditional conservative groups.
A key ally of Donald Trump
Kirk also became a staunch supporter and ally of President Donald Trump.
He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and served as an aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the presidential campaign.
This relationship solidified his position within the Republican Party’s “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) wing, and his organization became an integral part of Trump’s political apparatus.
Through his popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and his frequent appearances on conservative media, Kirk was a powerful voice in the pro-Trump movement.
He often framed political issues as a “spiritual battle” between good and evil and championed a pugnacious, populist form of conservatism.
His influence was so significant that after Trump’s 2024 victory, Kirk was credited with helping to mobilize younger voters for the campaign.
Influence on culture and social issues
Beyond traditional politics, Kirk’s influence extended deeply into social and cultural issues.
He was a vocal opponent of “woke” ideology, particularly in education and media.
He promoted traditional values, often encouraging young women to prioritize becoming homemakers and mothers over professional careers.
Kirk also openly criticized programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
He was also a major proponent of Christian nationalism, arguing that there is no true separation of church and state in the United States.
The Turning Point Empire
Kirk’s activism led to the expansion of the Turning Point brand into a larger political and media empire.
He launched Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group focused on voter mobilization, and Turning Point Faith, aimed at engaging evangelical Christian communities in conservative politics.
These affiliated organizations allowed him to broaden his reach and influence beyond college campuses, into a more mainstream political force.
TRUMP MOURNS FRIEND
Kirk rose to fame in 2012, when, at just 18 years old, he founded his organization and became an outspoken supporter of Trump’s first presidential bid.
Over the years, Turning Point USA grew to a multi-million dollar nonprofit that established homes for conservative high school and college students to find like-minded individuals.
The activist developed a strong friendship with Trump and represented the vibrant youth fueling the successful Make America Great Again movement.
On Wednesday, just hours after Kirk was shot, the president was the one who announced his death.
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In the days following the shooting, Trump has lashed out at the “radical left” for fueling rhetoric he believes led to the assassination of his friend.
“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence,” Trump said in a video posted on Truth Social.
“Charlie was the best of America and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.
“An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed because, together, we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come.”
Robinson is being held in a Utah jail on several charges, including aggravated murder, without bail.
He will make his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Timeline of Charlie Kirk shooting
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10
Tuesday, September 9
8:29 am MDT – Shooter arrives on the Utah Valley University campus, as seen in surveillance videos.
Wednesday, September 10
11:52 am – The shooter, described as a college-age individual, arrives on campus before maneuvering onto a rooftop.
12:00 pm – Charlie Kirk is scheduled to host a debate in the UVU Fountain Courtyard.
12:10 pm – A shot is fired at Kirk from 200 yards away and hits him in the neck. The event is immediately evacuated and a man is taken into custody.
1:02 pm – President Donald Trump posts a call to pray for Kirk on Truth Social.
1:37 pm – UVU closes campus, cancels classes, and tells students to leave campus immediately.
1:50 pm – Officials confirm Kirk is in critical condition to the Associated Press.
2:40 pm – Trump confirms Kirk has died, hailing him “great, legendary” in a post on Truth Social.
4:21 pm FBI Director Kash Patel shares on X that the ‘subject for the horrific shooting’ is in custody.
4:30 pm – Utah Governor Spencer Cox, speaking at a press conference, brands Kirk’s death a ‘political assassination. Cox adds there is a ‘person of interest’ in custody and a man arrested earlier has been released.
7:59 pm – Patel, the FBI director, confirmed a second subject taken into custody in connection with Kirk’s shooting was released after being interrogated by law enforcement.
Thursday, September 11
7:15 am – Officials hold a press conference where they announce they have “good video” of the suspect and they recovered the “high-action bolt rifle” in the nearby woods.
9:55 am – Visuals of the suspect are released as officials ask for the public’s help in identifying the individual in the photos.
10:44 am – FBI offers a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in Kirk’s assassination.
10:00 pm – Tyler Robinson is arrested on Thursday night in St. George, Utah, after his dad turned him in. He’s booked into the Utah County Jail.
Friday, September 12
6:00 am – Trump announces a suspect was in custody during an appearance on Fox & Friends. “I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” the president said.
7:30 am – A press conference is held with FBI and Utah government officials, including Cox and Patel, where the Utah governor confirmed, “We got him.” The suspect is identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah.
