Authorities say the man accused of fatally shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk believed the Turning Point USA leader was “full of hate.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident arrested Friday, Sept. 12, in Washington County, roughly 250 miles from the scene. Kirk, 31, was killed two days earlier while speaking at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Investigators believe Robinson fired from the roof of a building about 200 yards from the event, according to law enforcement officials cited by the Associated Press.
Cox said Robinson either confessed or suggested to relatives that he was responsible for the attack. One family member later contacted a friend, who alerted the sheriff’s office.
During a family dinner before the shooting, Robinson allegedly brought up Kirk’s visit to Utah Valley University. “They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said at a press conference. “The suspect said that Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”
Cox added that Robinson had grown increasingly political in recent years and that investigators discovered inscriptions with political messages on bullet casings.
Officials confirmed Robinson was not a student at Utah Valley University. He was taken into custody without incident and is expected to face formal charges in the coming days.
The shooting sparked panic at the rally, where attendees rushed for safety as shots rang out. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine Robinson’s activities and potential motives.