Youth Pastor Played Key Role in Arrest of Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect
A 22-year-old from Utah has been arrested over the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University earlier this week.
Tyler Robinson was taken into custody late on Thursday, September 11, after a 33-hour manhunt. His arrest came after his father persuaded him to surrender with the help of a family friend, a youth pastor.
The arrest was first announced by President Donald Trump, who called for Robinson to face the death penalty.
Confession to His Father
Investigators said Robinson confessed to his father and at first threatened to take his own life rather than surrender. His father contacted the pastor, who also works as a court security officer. The pair calmed Robinson and contacted US Marshals, who arrested him around 22:00 local time on Thursday.
Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that Robinson had been seen on campus surveillance footage hours before the fatal shot was fired, wearing clothes that matched those captured on CCTV at the scene.
Rifle and Engraved Messages
The FBI recovered the suspected weapon, a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle with a scope, hidden in woodland near the university. Casings found with the rifle bore engravings including «hey fascist! CATCH!» and «O Bella ciao, Bella ciao,» a reference to an Italian resistance song from the Second World War.
Messages shared by Robinson on Discord suggested he had hidden the rifle at a «drop point» and retrieved it before the attack.
Governor Cox said a family member reported that Robinson had become increasingly political in recent years. He had allegedly expressed hostility towards Kirk, describing him as «full of hate and spreading hate.»
Public records show Robinson had registered as an unaffiliated voter in Utah and had not voted in the last two presidential elections. His parents, both Republicans, are active in the Mormon community.
Charges and Campus Reaction
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges on September 9.
Students at Utah Valley University expressed relief after his arrest. «I’m definitely relieved,» said Anthony, a student. «I’m just anxious now to hear his motives and why this happened.»
The campus has remained closed since the shooting on Wednesday, with police cordons and vehicles blocking much of the university grounds.
Robinson, from St George in south-west Utah, is a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College. His father runs a kitchen cabinet business and his mother is a social worker.
