22-year-old Utah student remains jailed without bail as authorities prepare murder charges following deadly shooting at university campus
A Utah trade school student accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk remains in custody as prosecutors prepare to file formal charges in what authorities are calling a premeditated assassination.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been held at Utah County Jail since his arrest on September 12, following a 33-hour manhunt that ended when family members convinced him to surrender to authorities. The shooting occurred on September 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was speaking to approximately 3,000 attendees.
The Fatal Shooting
Kirk, co-founder of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA and a prominent Trump ally, was killed by a single rifle shot fired from a rooftop during the university event. The 31-year-old activist was struck in the neck, causing panic as students fled the scene.
Surveillance footage shows Robinson arriving on campus at 8:29 a.m. on the day of the shooting, approximately four hours before the fatal shot was fired. According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Robinson changed into dark clothing on campus before carrying out the attack.
The weapon, described as a high-powered .30-06 bolt-action rifle, was recovered in a wooded area near the university’s Losee building. Law enforcement sources indicate the rifle was an older imported model commonly used for hunting.
The Investigation and Arrest
The breakthrough in the case came when Robinson’s father and a family friend contacted authorities after Robinson confessed to the shooting. The father, working with a youth pastor who also served as a security officer, helped convince Robinson to turn himself in rather than harm himself.
“I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson, who did the right thing in this case,” Governor Cox stated during a Friday press conference announcing the arrest.
Robinson was apprehended at his parents’ home in Washington County, Utah, approximately 420 kilometers southwest of the crime scene. Additional forensic evidence was later collected from his apartment in St. George.
Suspect Profile and Background
Robinson, described as an electrical apprenticeship student at Dixie Technical College, has no prior criminal record according to state records. While he is a registered voter in Utah, he has no formal party affiliation.
Family members told investigators that Robinson had become “more political” in recent years and had expressed disdain for Kirk before the shooting. During a recent family dinner, Robinson reportedly called Kirk “full of hate and spreading hate”.
Governor Cox revealed that friends confirmed Robinson “went to some of the darker places of the internet” including Reddit and other platforms. Evidence also includes communications on the Discord platform, where Robinson allegedly joked about being the shooter after the incident.
Current Status and Cooperation
As of Sunday, September 14, Robinson is not cooperating with authorities, according to Governor Cox. However, people around him, including his roommate and family members, are providing assistance to investigators.
“He has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating,” Cox told ABC News.
Formal charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday, with Cox indicating that “much, much more information” will be revealed in the charging documents.
Political Impact and Response
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the political community, with President Donald Trump calling it a “heinous assassination” and advocating for the death penalty. The incident has highlighted the nation’s intense political divisions and raised concerns about political violence.
“If your perception of America isn’t disturbed right now, then something is amiss,” Governor Cox stated during television interviews following the arrest. “This is a direct attack on America.”
The case continues to develop as prosecutors prepare formal murder charges against Robinson, who remains held without bail pending his court appearance.
