A two-day manhunt has ended in Utah after authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Before officials went public, President Donald Trump revealed on Fox & Friends that the suspect was already in custody.
“I think with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said, adding that someone close to Robinson had turned him in. He noted the arrest happened “five minutes before I walked in” to the interview.
Trump praised Kirk, calling him “brilliant” and “like a son,” and urged the death penalty for the suspect. He also highlighted Kirk’s role in mobilizing young voters and supporting his TikTok outreach.
Who was Charlie Kirk and what happened?
Charlie Kirk, 31, was a well-known conservative media personality and a strong Trump ally. He played a key role in energizing the Republican youth vote and helping Trump reclaim the White House in last year’s election.
Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday while addressing a crowd of 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he died shortly after.
How was Tyler Robinson caught?
Governor Spencer Cox detailed Robinson’s arrest during a Friday press conference. On the evening of September 11, a Robinson family member confided in a friend, who then alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The tip quickly made its way to Utah authorities and the FBI. Surveillance footage also identified Robinson arriving on campus in his Dodge Challenger on the morning of September 10. Family members confirmed he owned such a vehicle.
Cox said Robinson’s relatives told investigators that he had grown “more political” in recent years and expressed hatred for Kirk at a recent gathering.
What evidence do investigators have?
Authorities released surveillance footage showing a man fleeing the scene across a rooftop, about 120 meters from where Kirk was speaking.
The suspect was seen wearing Converse sneakers, jeans, a black long-sleeved T-shirt with a U.S. flag and eagle design, and a black baseball cap. Palm and shoe prints left behind are now being analyzed by investigators.
The federal manhunt involved more than 200 interviews and 11,000 tips from the public before Robinson was finally taken into custody.
Who is Tyler Robinson and why did he kill Kirk?
Robinson, 22, is described as a Utah resident but not a student at Utah Valley University. Friends and family told investigators that he had become increasingly political and openly hostile toward Charlie Kirk in recent months.
While the motive has not yet been officially confirmed, early accounts suggest his animosity toward Kirk’s politics may have played a role.
What happens next?
With Robinson in custody, investigators are expected to piece together more details about his motives, possible affiliations, and how he planned the shooting.
The case is likely to spark further debate over political polarization and security at high-profile public events in the United States. For now, officials say the community should remain patient as the investigation continues.
