The suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination is now in custody, ending a tense two-day manhunt that had the whole country watching. Authorities have identified him as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press. Suspect Charlie Kirk Killing in Custody.
Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday. The shooting stunned the political community and prompted President Trump to announce “with a high degree of certainty” that the suspect had been caught.
Over 7,000 tips flooded in as federal and state authorities worked nonstop to track down the shooter. This arrest brings a measure of closure to what many are calling the latest act of political violence in the United States.
Key Takeaways – Suspect Charlie Kirk Killing in Custody
- Tyler Robinson, 22, from Utah, is under arrest as the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.
- The shooting happened Wednesday during Kirk’s speech, sparking a huge manhunt and thousands of public tips.
- President Trump confirmed the arrest after authorities recovered a rifle and spent cartridge at the scene.
Timeline of the Shooting and Suspect’s Custody
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, during a campus event. The suspect arrived about 30 minutes before the shooting and was caught nearly two days later after an intense search.
Events Leading Up to the Shooting at Utah Valley University
The suspect showed up at Utah Valley University at 11:52 a.m. on September 10, according to Beau Mason, Utah Public Safety Commissioner. He blended into the campus crowd and looked like any other college student.
Security cameras tracked the suspect as he entered campus. He moved through stairwells and eventually reached a rooftop spot.
Kirk was scheduled to speak outdoors in the university courtyard. About 3,000 people showed up for the conservative activist’s event.
The suspect picked his position carefully before Kirk started his talk at noon.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
Kirk was shot in the neck at 12:20 p.m. while answering audience questions. The fatal shot came from a bolt-action rifle fired from a nearby rooftop.
Officials say the attack was targeted. The shooter was less than 150 yards away from Kirk—well within range for a basic marksman.
Law enforcement sources say the rifle was an older Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action. New video footage shows the suspect running across the rooftop right after the shooting.
The suspect jumped off the building and fled the scene. Kirk was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition at 1:45 p.m.
President Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social at 2:40 p.m.
Immediate Response from Law Enforcement
Utah Valley University sent out its first alert about the shooting at 12:42 p.m. That alert incorrectly said a suspect was in custody.
The university corrected the information at 1:10 p.m., clarifying that no one had been caught yet. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the shooting at 12:53 p.m. and said the FBI was helping with the case.
The campus was closed at 1:37 p.m. as police secured the area. Two people were briefly detained but released after authorities cleared them as suspects.
One person was later charged with obstructing justice. Investigators collected the rifle, shoe prints, palm prints, and forearm imprints as evidence.
The Utah Department of Public Safety led the case with help from the FBI.
Identification and Arrest of the Suspect
The manhunt stretched on for nearly two days after the shooting. Police tracked the suspect’s escape route off the rooftop and through a nearby neighborhood.
Officials searched for more security and doorbell camera footage. President Trump announced Friday morning that the suspect had been captured with a “high degree of certainty”.
He told Fox News that someone close to the suspect identified him. The suspect is a 22-year-old from Utah, but officials haven’t released his name as the investigation continues.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino traveled to Salt Lake City to oversee things firsthand. Officials have called the shooting a political assassination.
Investigation, Reactions, and Ongoing Developments
Federal authorities led a multi-agency manhunt that ended with the suspect’s capture. Political leaders condemned the attack and offered big rewards for information.
The investigation required close coordination between local and federal agencies.
Role of the FBI and Federal Authorities
The FBI took charge of investigating Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University. Federal agents worked side by side with Utah law enforcement to track the suspect.
Police released images and video of the alleged shooter jumping from a rooftop after the September 10 attack.
The FBI recovered what they believe is the murder weapon—a high-powered bolt-action rifle. Investigators also found imprints on the roof where the shooter fired the fatal shot.
The FBI shared images of a “person of interest” connected to the case. Director Kash Patel coordinated the federal response to what officials are calling an act of domestic terrorism.
Federal resources were quickly mobilized to boost the manhunt.
Public Announcements and Reward Information
Authorities offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction. The reward was announced within hours to encourage tips from the public.
Utah officials made an urgent plea for help and released new footage of the suspect leaving the scene.
The FBI kept updating the public, asking for help to identify the person of interest. Law enforcement stressed how much they needed the public’s assistance.
Officials held regular press conferences to keep everyone updated on the investigation’s progress.
Reactions from Political and Community Leaders
President Trump announced the suspect’s capture on Fox and Friends. He said, “with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody.”
Trump also revealed that a minister and the suspect’s father helped bring in the alleged shooter. He praised law enforcement’s quick response.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the attack, calling it an assault on free speech and democratic values. Cox made sure state resources were available to support the investigation.
Turning Point USA, the group Kirk co-founded, issued statements mourning their leader’s death. The organization called for unity against political violence and vowed to keep Kirk’s mission going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Details about the arrest are still limited, as law enforcement hasn’t officially confirmed the suspect is in custody. President Trump announced the suspected arrest, but authorities haven’t released formal charges or a court schedule yet.
What are the charges against the individual arrested for Charlie Kirk’s murder?
No official charges have been announced. Law enforcement hasn’t publicly confirmed that a suspect is in custody.
Trump said he believed they had a suspect but didn’t offer details about specific charges. The investigation is still ongoing.
How did law enforcement apprehend the suspect in the Charlie Kirk case?
Trump told Fox News that a family member and a local minister helped turn in the suspect. He said community cooperation played a role in the arrest.
The suspect avoided police and federal agents for more than 24 hours after the shooting. Official confirmation from law enforcement is still pending.
Has the suspect made any statements or confessions regarding the involvement in the killing of Charlie Kirk?
No information about suspect statements or confessions has been released. Trump said he didn’t know if the suspect was part of a bigger network.
The suspect’s identity hasn’t been shared publicly. Law enforcement hasn’t released details about any interrogations or statements.
When is the preliminary court hearing for the suspect accused of killing Charlie Kirk scheduled?
No court hearing dates have been announced. Official confirmation from law enforcement about the arrest is still pending.
Court schedules usually follow formal charges and booking. None of that has been made public yet.
What evidence led to the arrest of the suspect connected to the Charlie Kirk homicide?
The FBI released images and video of a person of interest before the reported arrest. Investigators asked the public for help identifying the person.
The specific evidence that led to the arrest hasn’t been made public. Trump cautioned that his info was preliminary.
What has been the reaction from Charlie Kirk’s family and community following the arrest?
Charlie Kirk’s family hasn’t made any public statements about the reported arrest. If they’ve reacted at all, they’re keeping it to themselves for now.
The shooting sparked heated discussions across political lines. People want swift justice, and they’re not shy about saying so.
No one’s really documented how the community feels about the arrest. Maybe folks are talking behind closed doors, but nothing’s surfaced in public yet.
