A 22-year-old Utah resident, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a university event this week. Robinson was apprehended after a 33-hour manhunt that concluded when his father assisted in persuading him to surrender to law enforcement.
US President Donald Trump announced Robinson’s arrest, suggesting that the suspect should face the death penalty. The incident has prompted discussions regarding political divisions in the United States, as Kirk was shot while engaging in a debate with students on campus.
During a press briefing, investigators shared that Robinson had confessed to his father and expressed a desire to take his own life rather than surrender. The father contacted a family friend, a youth pastor, who attempted to help calm Robinson, ultimately calling law enforcement to assist. He was detained around 10 PM local time.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox noted that surveillance footage revealed Robinson’s presence on the Utah Valley University campus approximately four hours before the shooting. At the time of his capture, Robinson was reportedly dressed similarly to what was depicted in the security images.
Cox also mentioned that investigators had interviewed a family member who stated that Robinson had recently become more politically active. The family member recounted an occasion in which Robinson made comments about Kirk and expressed negative sentiments towards him.
Additionally, a roommate of the suspect provided messages where Robinson discussed retrieving a rifle from a designated location. FBI agents later recovered a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, in a nearby wooded area. Casings found with the rifle featured engraved messages that included “hey fascist! CATCH!” and a reference to the Italian song “Bella ciao.”
As the investigation unfolds, state prosecutors are expected to file formal charges against Robinson, which currently include aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. The campus has remained closed since the incident, with heightened security measures in place. Robinson is noted to be a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College, and social media profiles indicate his family is active in their local community and church.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly7417ge50o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss