Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old now in custody for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is being described by investigators as a young man who recently became more politically outspoken, particularly against Kirk.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Friday that a family member told investigators Robinson “had become more political in recent years” and had specifically “lashed out at Kirk.” Authorities have called Kirk’s killing a “political assassination.”
Political Shift and Engravings
Although voter registration records show Robinson registered with no party affiliation and is listed as an “inactive” voter — meaning he had not participated in at least the last two general elections — investigators believe his views hardened over time.
According to Cox, anti-fascist messages were found engraved on ammunition recovered with a rifle near the scene of the shooting. One read, “Hey fascist! Catch!” while another appeared to reference the Italian anti-fascist song Bella Ciao. Other bullet casings included mocking engravings linked to online trolling, such as: “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”
Background and Education
Robinson grew up in Washington, Utah, a quiet suburb of St. George. He graduated from Pine View High School in 2021 with a strong academic record and earned a resident presidential scholarship to Utah State University. His mother shared a Facebook video at the time showing him opening his award letter.
A university spokesperson confirmed that Robinson “briefly attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021” before dropping out.
The Manhunt and Arrest
The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Robinson’s hometown, where Kirk was speaking at a campus event.
Governor Cox said a family member recalled Robinson mentioning Kirk’s upcoming appearance at a recent family dinner. During that discussion, “they talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
On Thursday evening, a relative of Robinson contacted a family friend, saying that Robinson had either confessed to or implied responsibility for the shooting. The family friend alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Robinson was arrested around 10 p.m. Thursday after a 33-hour manhunt, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed.
Clues Linking Robinson to the Scene
Authorities found the bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the attack abandoned in nearby woodlands. Alongside the engraved ammunition, investigators also reviewed social media photos showing Robinson in grey Converse sneakers and sunglasses that appear similar to those worn by the suspected shooter in images released by law enforcement earlier this week.
A Case Under National Scrutiny
The details emerging about Robinson paint a picture of a former scholarship student whose political transformation coincided with increasingly hostile views toward Kirk. As authorities continue to investigate, Robinson now faces intense public and legal scrutiny in a case that has drawn national attention.
