Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Thursday the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, who has been identified as the suspect in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Robinson, a resident of Orem, Utah, was taken into custody late Wednesday night following a manhunt led by state and federal investigators. According to law enforcement sources, he was located at a relative’s home where he had been hiding in the hours after the attack. He is now being held at a secure state facility while prosecutors prepare formal murder charges.
Authorities say forensic evidence, including palm and footwear impressions, tied Robinson to the rooftop from which Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University. Investigators also recovered messages exchanged on Discord in which Robinson allegedly referenced the rifle used in the shooting.
Governor Cox praised law enforcement for what he described as a coordinated and rapid operation. “The people of Utah and the nation deserve answers. Justice will be pursued to the fullest extent,” he said in a statement.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot earlier this week in an attack that shocked political circles nationwide. His death has sparked debate across the United States about the rising intensity of political hostility.
Officials are still examining Robinson’s background and potential motives. Early reports suggest he had become increasingly political and critical of Kirk in recent months, but investigators have not yet released a definitive account of what led to the killing.
The case remains under active investigation, with prosecutors expected to outline charges in the coming days.
