Tyler Robinson mugshot released by FBI as Charlie Kirk shooting suspect arrested
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot in the neck during a public debate event at Utah Valley University, with the bullet reportedly fired from the roof of a building
The FBI have released a mugshot showing 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is alleged to have fatally shot MAGA ally Charlie Kirk in the neck, killing him as he spoke at a university event in Utah.
A press conference was held today with the FBI and officials to confirm Robinson as the suspect in the shooting. He has now been taken into custody in Utah after he reportedly told a family member of his crime, before the relative informed a family friend who informed investigators.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," said Utah Governor Spencer Cox in the press conference. "We got him."
Robinson allegedly admitted or suggested that he had carried out the shooting, the governor said. It comes after Donald Trump announced on Fox News that officials were highly confident that a young man in custody was the suspected shooter.
Trump added that "someone very close" to the suspect, who he referred to as a "person of faith, a minister", approached "the father". The President went on to say that the "father convinced the son" to turn himself in.
Trump shared that the suspect's father told his son they had "got to go in", adding: "They drove into the police headquarters, and he's there now."
Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot in the neck during a public debate event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. According to the university, the shot came from the roof of a building about 142 yards away.
Investigators identified Robinson through footage of the alleged gunman arriving in a Dodge Challenger at approximately 8.29 am on September 10, said Cox, reports the Mirror US.
When investigators encountered him on September 12, Cox said Robinson was wearing clothing that matched the footage examined by investigators, including a "plain maroon t-shirt, light-coloured shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light-coloured shoes."
According to Cox, Robinson's family told investigators that the 22-year-old had become "more political" in recent years. Officials with inscriptions on the bullet casings found a bolt-action rifle with a scope mount on top.
Utah governor Spencer Cox said a message engraved on the casing of one of the bullets found inside the rifle used in the shooting "speaks for itself". Answering a question during the press conference on how he interpreted the engravings on the bullet cases, Cox says: "Well, I will leave that up to you to interpret what those engravings mean."
He adds: "I think the clearest one that says 'catch fascists'... That's like catch a ball - 'catch this'. I think that speaks for itself."
Family videos shared on social media depict Robinson enjoying a fishing trip with his parents and siblings. Another video, posted by Robinson's mum, shows the suspect reading an acceptance letter from a university.
Robinson hails from Washington, Utah, roughly 260 miles south of Orem where Kirk was shot. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear at this point.