Authorities in Utah have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University earlier this week.
Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday morning that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday in southern Utah. “We got him,” Cox told reporters at a press conference, praising the swift cooperation of law enforcement.
The arrest ends a two-day manhunt that intensified amid criticism of the FBI’s response and widespread public appeals for information. Officials had offered a $100,000 reward, and investigators released surveillance footage showing a masked figure fleeing the scene.
US President Donald Trump, speaking on Fox & Friends earlier Friday, said he was informed of the arrest moments before going on air. “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody,” Trump said. He added that a close associate of Robinson had turned him in. Trump also called for the death penalty, saying, “In Utah you have the death penalty, and the governor is intent on the death penalty in this case, and he should be.”
Governor Cox echoed that stance, saying that Kirk’s killing—described as politically motivated—merits the harshest punishment. Authorities revealed that a bullet recovered near the crime scene was marked with the phrase “hey, fascist.”
The attack occurred on Wednesday when Kirk was addressing thousands at Utah Valley University. He was fatally shot with a single round, prompting panic and chaos inside the venue. Surveillance footage released by the FBI showed a person in dark clothing, sunglasses, and a hat fleeing across a rooftop and into a nearby neighborhood.
The shooting triggered bipartisan condemnation, with lawmakers and civic leaders warning about the rise of political violence in the United States. “Our adversaries want violence,” Cox said, cautioning against misinformation spreading online. “We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence.”
At a memorial held Thursday evening in Orem, Utah, mourners gathered to honor Kirk. Many wept outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where his death had been confirmed. Later that night, Kirk’s casket was flown to Arizona aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Kirk’s widow, Erika, joined the vice president on the tarmac as uniformed service members carried the coffin.
Vance, who credited Kirk with helping shape Trump’s 2024 election victory, said in a statement: “So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene. He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.”
Turning Point USA, the youth organization Kirk co-founded in Phoenix, described his death as an “incomprehensible loss.” In a statement, the group said: “All of us have lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend. Above all, our hearts are with Erika and their two children. Charlie was the ideal husband and the perfect father.”
Kirk, 31, was a polarizing figure in American politics. He rose to prominence as a staunch ally of Trump, building a national network that drew young conservatives into the Make America Great Again movement. He was known for his combative style, opposition to transgender healthcare, and calls for strict immigration limits, as well as his embrace of election conspiracy theories.
While many of his positions were controversial, his killing has renewed concern about the targeting of political figures across party lines. Nebraska Republican Don Bacon noted that “Democrats have been victims too,” referencing the June murder of Minnesota’s former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
In a televised address after Kirk’s death, Trump vowed accountability. “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,” he said.
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, is expected to face charges in Utah state court. Officials have not yet announced when his first hearing will take place.
