(CN) - Authorities on Friday said they'd taken a suspect into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox identified Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, as the suspect at a news conference early Friday.
"We got him," Cox said, adding that Robinson would soon face formal charges. He's being held in the Utah County Jail.
Authorities said they identified Robinson as a suspect in the Wednesday shooting after learning he had confessed or implied his involvement to a family member. FBI reviewed surveillance footage after receiving the tip, seeing a man they presume to be Robinson arrive at Utah Valley University at 8:29 a.m. Wednesday, hours before the shooting, Cox said.
Agents said he wore a T-shirt, shorts and light-colored shoes at the time; Robinson was wearing clothing Cox called consistent with that description when police found him several hours ago.
Robinson isn't a university student; he lives with his family in Washington County, officials said.
Agent interviews revealed that at a recent dinner Robinson mentioned that Kirk would appear at the Utah university and expressed his reasons for disliking the activist, adding that he believed Kirk spread hate, Cox said.
Speaking with Robinson's roommate, agents saw Discord messages from Robinson giving information about a rifle drop point, about watching the area where the rifle was left and about it being wrapped in a towel, Cox said.
Authorities said a bolt-action rifle was found in the woods nearby the university, adding it appeared to be the gun used in the fatal shooting.
Agents found some engravings on spent and unspent shell casings, including the words, "Hey, fascist!" and "Catch!" Another bore the phrase, "If you read this, you are gay. LMAO," Cox said.
Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday from a gunman's bullet while speaking at a Utah Valley University event. While authorities interviewed two people shortly after the shooting, they were released.
The FBI on Thursday released surveillance photos of the suspect. They seemingly depicted a white man wearing a hat and sunglasses. He had a long-sleeved, black shirt with an image of an American flag and long pants.
The FBI on Thursday directed people to a website where they could provide information and photos.
The fatal shooting of the conservative commentator and activist led the university to shutter classes and escort people from the campus. Elected officials and media personalities on both sides of the aisle denounced political violence.
In session at the time, both chambers of the California Legislature paused legislative business to acknowledge the violent act. Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal noted that decorum - which he regularly invokes as speaker pro tempore on the floor - was necessary.
Initial social media posts offered prayers for Kirk in hopes he'd survive the gunshot wound to his neck. Shortly afterward, Trump posted that Kirk had died.
Trump himself has escaped two assassination attempts.
While many people decried political violence, others pointed to Kirk's controversial statements about slavery and homosexuality. Many highlighted a statement he made in 2023: "I think it's worth (it) to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights."
Turning Point USA champions conservative values at high schools and universities. Founded in 2012 by Kirk, its goal is to identify, educate, train and organize students, leading them to herald ideals like fiscal responsibility and limited government.
The organization on its website boasts a presence on over 3,500 campuses, calling itself the biggest and fastest-growing youth group in the nation.
Source: Courthouse News Service
