‘We got him’: Family tip leads to arrest in Charlie Kirk killing; 22-year-old held without bail

Authorities say a 22-year-old from southern Utah is in custody for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk — a break in the case that came after a family member sounded the alarm.

Officials identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a Washington (Utah) native with no criminal record. A Utah judge ordered him held without bail Friday morning at the Utah County Jail, where he’s booked on initial state counts including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. Formal charges are pending.

Robinson was picked up around 10 p.m. Thursday, roughly 33 hours after Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem. FBI Director Kash Patel called the turnaround “historic,” saying agents have already begun evaluating forensic evidence and have chased more than 11,000 leads.

How police found him: According to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a family member contacted a family friend, who then alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that Robinson had confessed or implied he was responsible. When investigators encountered Robinson, he was reportedly wearing clothing consistent with what cameras captured at the scene.

What investigators say happened

• Arrival & escape: Surveillance footage shows a man arriving on campus in a Dodge Challenger late Wednesday morning, moving through stairwells to a rooftop overlooking the outdoor event, then dropping from the roof and running off after the single fatal shot.
• Clothing: The suspect on video wore a plain maroon T-shirt, light shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light shoes. Earlier images released during the manhunt showed a person of interest in a black flag-and-eagle T-shirt, sunglasses, jeans, and a black backpack — apparel officials said helped him blend in on campus.
• The weapon: Investigators recovered a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded area along the suspect’s escape route. Sources described it as an older, imported Mauser .30-06 with a long-distance scope.
• Engraved casings: With the rifle were a spent casing and three unfired rounds with engraved inscriptions, including “Hey fascist! Catch!” Authorities also noted references associated with online culture — the meme phrase “OwO what’s this?”, a line from the anti-fascist anthem “Bella ciao”, arrow symbols resembling a video-game input, and a taunting message about sexuality.
• Digital trail: Robinson’s roommate allowed investigators to photograph Discord messages allegedly from Robinson about retrieving a rifle from a drop point, leaving it in a bush wrapped in a towel, watching the area, engraving bullets, and changing outfits.

Officials said they believe Robinson acted alone and have no information suggesting additional suspects.

Public records and people who knew Robinson paint a picture of a quiet, academically strong young man:

• Background: Grew up in Washington, Utah, and briefly attended Utah State University on scholarship in 2021. Neighbors described him as reserved, musical, and from a churchgoing family.
• Politics: Voter records list him as unaffiliated and inactive in recent elections. A family member told investigators Robinson had “become more political in recent years” and had criticized Kirk in a recent family dinner conversation.
• No prior convictions: Court records reviewed by officials show no misdemeanor or felony history.

The timeline, at a glance (Mountain Time)

Wednesday, Sept. 10

• 12:23 p.m. — Kirk is shot mid-Q&A at UVU.
• 12:39 p.m. — First FBI agents arrive; federal assets mobilize.
• 2:40 p.m. — President Donald Trump announces Kirk’s death.
• Late afternoon — Confusion over an early detention; one person questioned and released.

Thursday, Sept. 11

• Morning — FBI releases person-of-interest photos and offers a $100,000 reward.
• Evening — New video shows the suspect running across a rooftop and fleeing.
• 10:00 p.m. — Robinson is taken into custody.

Friday, Sept. 12

• 1:58 a.m. — Robinson booked into Utah County Jail.
• Morning — Gov. Cox: “We got him.” Judge orders no bail. Officials say they’ll move quickly on formal charges.

Authorities haven’t publicly assigned a motive. Gov. Cox said a family member told investigators Robinson had recently lashed out at Kirk and became more political, but officials cautioned the investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors are reviewing potential federal counts that could be filed in addition to state charges.

What’s next legally

• Charging clock: Prosecutors have three days to file formal charges ahead of a preliminary hearing.
• Possible penalties: Utah officials, including Gov. Cox, have said they will pursue the death penalty. President Trump echoed that he hopes the shooter receives it.
• Federal overlay: The Justice Department is evaluating federal charges; it’s not yet clear whether any would supplement or supplant state prosecution.

Gov. Cox urged the public not to share graphic videos of the shooting — calling the spread of violent imagery harmful — and pushed for political restraint in the aftermath.

“There is one person responsible for what happened here,” he said, adding that the case is “an attack on all of us” and on the American ideal of robust, peaceful debate.

Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA and was speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 at UVU during his “American Comeback Tour” when a single, long-range shot struck him. The killing set off a nationwide manhunt and reignited urgent debates over political violence, online radicalization, and security at high-profile public events.

For now, investigators say the focus shifts from the blitz manhunt to building a prosecution: finishing forensics on the rifle and casings, combing through devices and digital accounts, and stitching together Robinson’s movements before and after the shot.

Bottom line: A tip from inside the suspect’s circle cracked the case fast. The hard part now is proving it — and keeping a traumatized country from tearing itself further apart while the courts do their work.

Reuters, the New York Times, Axios, USA Today, CNN, and ABC News contributed to this report.