Tyler Robinson
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah man, has been identified as the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA.
Robinson was taken into custody on Thursday, about 33 hours after Kirk was shot dead while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University (UVU).
Addressing a press briefing on Friday, Spencer Cox, the Utah governor, said the suspect was captured following a joint manhunt by federal and local law enforcement.
“I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson who did the right thing in this case and were able to bring him into law enforcement,” Cox said.
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He said a relative and a family friend contacted the local sheriff’s office after Robinson confessed, or “implied that he had committed” the crime.
BBC reports that Robinson’s father had recognised his son from images circulated by law enforcement.
This prompted the father to urge his son to turn himself in, but Robinson reportedly said he would rather commit suicide.
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His father subsequently approached a youth pastor and family friend, who intervened and later called the US Marshals.
Kirk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting on Wednesday.
His death has sparked widespread condemnation of political violence in the United States.
On Friday, Trump confirmed that the suspect was in custody, saying the arrest came after “someone very close” to Robinson tipped off authorities.
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