FBI Director Kash Patel speaks at a information convention on Sept. 12, 2025, in Orem, Utah, as Utah division of public security commissioner Beau Mason, left, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox hear. (AP Photograph/Lindsay Wasson)
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Lindsay Wasson/AP
Authorities have arrested a suspect within the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, officers mentioned Friday, bringing an finish to a frantic manhunt for the gunman.
“We obtained him,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox mentioned at a information convention.
Cox recognized the suspect as Tyler Robinson of Utah. He mentioned one in every of Robinson’s relations reached out to a good friend, who contacted the Washington County sheriff’s workplace on Thursday evening with data that Robinson had confessed or implied that he was the gunman.
This photograph launched by the Utah Governor’s Workplace on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 exhibits Tyler Robinson.
AP/Utah Governor’s Workplace by way of AP
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That data was relayed to authorities, and FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned Robinson was arrested at 10 p.m. native time Thursday evening.
Cox mentioned investigators interviewed a member of the family, who mentioned that Robinson had “develop into extra political in recent times.” The member of the family additionally recounted a latest dinner with Robinson at which he said that Kirk was going to be talking at Utah Valley College.
“They talked about why they did not like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox mentioned. “The member of the family additionally said Kirk was filled with hate and spreading hate.”
Cox mentioned investigators additionally spoke with Robinson’s roommate, who confirmed authorities messages allegedly from Robinson on the social media platform Discord. In these messages, the person believed to be Robinson says he must retrieve a rifle from a drop level, and said the firearm was wrapped in a towel.
Inscriptions on bullets
Authorities have beforehand mentioned they discovered a rifle wrapped in a towel, which is the gun they consider was used within the taking pictures.
Cox mentioned the gun was a Mauser bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope. He additionally mentioned that investigators recovered bullets that bore inscriptions on them.
The writing on the only spent casing, he mentioned, learn, “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?” It is not clear what that meant.
The be aware on one unfired casing was “Hey fascist! Catch!” together with arrow symbols. He mentioned the inscriptions on the opposite unfired casings learn, “O Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao,” which seems to be a reference to an Italian anti-fascist resistance tune. A 3rd unfired casing carried the phrases “in case you learn this you might be homosexual lmao.”
Kirk was fatally shot whereas chatting with a crowd of scholars at Utah Valley College on Wednesday afternoon, sparking a large seek for the gunman.
After the taking pictures, the FBI and the Utah Division of Public Security launched photographs of the suspect, wearing a black shirt and hat and carrying a black backpack, in addition to video of him scampering throughout a roof on campus after the taking pictures and fleeing.
Investigators reviewed further surveillance footage from campus, Cox mentioned, and decided that Robinson arrived on the college in a grey Dodge Challenger round 8:30 a.m. on the day of the taking pictures. Within the video, Robinson is carrying a plain maroon T-shirt, mild coloured shorts and a black hat.
President Trump introduced on Fox & Pals earlier Friday that authorities had a suspect in custody.
“I hope he’ll be discovered responsible, I might think about, and I hope he will get the loss of life penalty,” Trump mentioned.
This story shall be up to date.
