After a two-day manhunt that gripped the nation, authorities have arrested a 22-year-old Utah man in connection with the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Governor Spencer Cox announced late Thursday that Tyler Robinson was taken into custody, calling it a breakthrough in a case that has heightened concerns over political violence. “Ladies and gentlemen, we got him,” Cox said during a press conference, confirming Robinson is believed to have acted alone.
Investigators linked Robinson to the shooting through multiple pieces of evidence, including messages he allegedly shared on the chat app Discord and engravings etched into unused bullet casings found with the high-powered rifle believed to be the murder weapon. One casing reportedly bore the words: “Hey, fascist! Catch!”
Authorities said Robinson had recently become more politically outspoken and discussed Kirk’s visit with relatives days before the shooting. His father ultimately recognized him in photos released by the FBI and urged him to surrender. Robinson initially refused, but with the help of a family pastor who contacted U.S. Marshals, he turned himself in.
The arrest capped an intense search following Wednesday’s attack at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at a Turning Point USA event. Graphic videos of the assassination, which showed Kirk collapsing after being struck in the neck, quickly spread online. The FBI said the shooting was a “targeted attack.”
Kirk, 31, was a polarizing but influential figure in conservative politics, known for his fiery debates on college campuses and his close ties to former President Donald Trump. Trump described him as “a good person” and vowed to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. Vice President JD Vance also paid tribute, noting Kirk’s role in shaping the administration’s policies and staffing.
Robinson has not yet been formally charged, but prosecutors said criminal counts are forthcoming. Authorities continue to investigate his motives while urging the public to resist the cycle of escalating political violence.
“This is our moment: Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp?” Gov. Cox said, appealing for dialogue over division.
Kirk’s casket has since been transported aboard Air Force Two to Phoenix, where his nonprofit Turning Point USA is headquartered. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
