Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead on Wednesday while addressing an audience of about 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. The shooting sparked an intensive manhunt that saw multiple developments over the following hours. Two individuals were initially detained but later released.
On Friday morning, President Donald Trump announced on Fox & Friends that a suspect had been taken into custody. “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him,” Trump said.
Law enforcement had earlier appealed to the public for assistance, with Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirming that more than 7,000 tips had been received. The FBI also released surveillance footage showing the suspected gunman fleeing the scene, along with six images circulated earlier describing him as a “college-age” male who “blended in well” with students. A $100,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
Investigators said a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the targeted shooting was recovered from a wooded area near the university.
Kirk’s body was flown to Arizona, where he lived with his family, aboard Air Force Two on Thursday afternoon. Both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have announced plans to attend his funeral, scheduled for next weekend.
