Who is Tyler Robinson? An Insight into the Suspect of Charlie Kirk's Shooting

Sat Sep 13 2025 10:53:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, has been identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This article provides details about Robinson's background, arrest, and the ongoing investigation into his motives.

Tyler Robinson, aged 22, is under investigation for shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. His arrest was made possible through the recognition of a family member in surveillance footage. While Robinson had expressed political disdain for Kirk in earlier conversations, authorities are still uncovering the motives and affiliations that may have influenced his actions.

The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, a Utah native who had been living with his parents for a long time, authorities said.

Mr. Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognized him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.

That family member was apparently Mr. Robinson's father, who encouraged him to turn himself in, the BBC's US partner CBS News has reported, citing two law enforcement sources. The father then reportedly reached out to a family friend who contacted the sheriff's office.

At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss Mr. Robinson's background, political leanings, or possible motive, saying the investigation was ongoing.

We are confident we have the right individual in custody, an FBI spokesperson said, but we are still working to establish the full picture of who he is and why he acted.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox said a family member interviewed by investigators stated that Mr. Robinson had become more political in recent years.

The relative also said that during a dinner conversation before the attack, Mr. Robinson had stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate and mentioned Kirk's upcoming event at Utah Valley University, according to Cox.

Public records reviewed by the BBC suggest Mr. Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. Matthew Carl Robinson, the suspect's father, and Amber Denise Robinson, the suspect's mother, are registered Republicans, according to state records.

Mr. Robinson was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting. Records reviewed by BBC Verify suggest he attended Utah State University in Logan for a single semester in 2021, possibly studying engineering.

Investigators say Mr. Robinson was steeped in online culture, pointing to inscriptions on shell casings linked to the case that include references to online trolling humor.

The investigation into his background, motives, and potential affiliations continues in what officials are calling one of the most significant political killings in recent US history.