Charlie Kirk shooting suspect identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, after family members turned him in to police — follow live updates

Yahoo
September 12, 2025



The suspect in a stairwell and on the grounds of the campus after jumping off of a roof. Utah Department of Public Safety handout

The suspect arrested in connection with the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, authorities said Friday.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday while he was speaking to around 3,000 people at an event at Utah Valley University. The manhunt that ensued took several twists and turns in the hours following the shooting. Two people were taken into custody on Wednesday, but both were later released.

Earlier Friday, President Trump announced during an appearance on Fox & Friends that a suspect was in custody. “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him," he said.

Investigators and authorities on Thursday night pleaded for the public’s help in finding the gunman. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that law enforcement had received more than 7,000 tips related to the shooting.

The FBI released new surveillance video Thursday night of the suspected shooter fleeing the scene. Six images of the same suspect had been shared earlier in the day. They described the gunman as a "college age" male who "blended in well" with students. The FBI offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person.

A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered from a wooded area near the university, authorities said. They believe this is the weapon that was used in the "targeted" shooting that left Kirk dead.

Kirk's body was transported to Arizona, where Kirk lived with his family, on Air Force Two on Thursday afternoon. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both said they plan to attend Kirk's funeral, which is expected to be held next weekend.

Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. (Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
LIVE105 updates

Fri, September 12, 2025 at 10:22 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
FBI Director Kash Patel defends handling of case: 'We delivered'


Kash Patel. (Reuters TV)
At the press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect was taken into custody at 10 p.m. local time on Thursday.

"This is what happens when you let good cops be cops," Patel said. "In 33 hours, we have made historic progress for Charlie."

Patel, who had faced public criticism for his initial handling of the investigation, expressed his gratitude to President Trump and the White House for their support.

He said the public had a right to demand "an expeditious" capture.

"The FBI answered that call," Patel said. "We delivered."


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 10:20 PM GMT+8
Katie Mather
Investigators provide new details on when suspect arrived at school campus

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said more campus security footage was shared with the Utah County Sheriff's Office, which showed when the suspect arrived at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

The new footage shows Tyler Robinson pulling into the campus in a gray Dodge Challenger at around 8:29 a.m. MT. He's seen "wearing a plain maroon T-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light colored shoes," Cox said, which was consistent with what Robinson was wearing when confronted by investigators on Thursday evening.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox: 'We got him'


(L-R) Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Sheriff Mike Smith and FBI director Kash Patel. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
At a press conference with federal and state law enforcement officials, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed that the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is in custody.

"We got him," Cox said at the beginning of his remarks.

A family member of the suspect reached out to law enforcement officials, Cox said. The family member said Robinson had become increasingly political and had mentioned that Kirk was coming to speak at Utah Valley University at a recent family dinner.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 9:41 PM GMT+8
Katie Mather
White House defends FBI director's handling of Kirk investigation


FBI Director Kash Patel stands next to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at a press conference on Thursday. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
The White House issued a statement defending FBI Director Kash Patel after people condemned his public handling of the investigation into Charlie Kirk's killing.

"Director Patel is working night and day on this case," a White House official said, according to NBC News. "Anyone who doubts his resolve and dedication — especially when Charlie was such a close friend to him — simply is using this extremely sad moment in disgusting act of political gamesmanship. The focus is justice, and this killer will face the full wrath of the justice system.”

Patel faced some backlash after posting on X that a "subject for the horrific shooting" was taken into custody on Wednesday evening. Less than two hours later, he said the "subject in custody" was released.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
Suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson: reports


FBI Salt Lake City/X
The suspect in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has been identified by multiple news outlets as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah.

The Associated Press and NBC reported the suspect's identity, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.

FBI and Utah state officials are scheduled to hold a press conference shortly.

According to the New York Times, he was taken into custody in St. George, Utah, about 260 miles from the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, where Kirk was killed.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM GMT+8
Katie Mather
Politicians should still host public events, Trump says: 'You have to go forward'

When asked about how some lawmakers are canceling their public appearances in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing, President Trump said on Fox & Friends, "You have to go forward."

Several public officials have postponed events or changed their plans in the aftermath of the shooting on Wednesday.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez postponed two North Carolina events this weekend, citing respect for Kirk and security concerns. California Gov. Gavin Newsom rescheduled an event that was planned for Thursday, and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego canceled his town hall event in Las Vegas "out of an abundance of caution for town hall participants, attendees, and members of the media."


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 9:16 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
FBI press conference pushed back to 9:30 a.m. ET

The planned press conference with the FBI and Utah law enforcement officials, which was initially scheduled for 9 a.m. ET, has been pushed back to 9:30 a.m. ET


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
Trump says father of the suspect turned him in

On the Fox & Friends couch, President Trump said that a minister "involved in law enforcement" convinced the father of the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing to turn him in to police.

"It was a minister ... a minister who was involved with law enforcement by the way, his good friend is a top U.S. marshal, and they took it from there," Trump said. "And then it was, a father got involved, namely his father, and said, 'We got to go in.' And they, as I understand it — and again subject to change, but you know, the facts are the facts — we have the person that we think is the person we're looking for. But they drove him to the police headquarters. He's there now."


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM GMT+8
Yahoo News Staff
FBI, Utah officials to hold press conference at 9 a.m. ET

State and federal officials are expected to hold a press conference on the investigation into Charlie Kirk's shooting death at 9 a.m. ET.

FBI Director Kash Patel, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls and Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason are expected to be in attendance.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM GMT+8
Dylan Stableford
Trump says he believes the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing has been caught


In a live appearance on Fox & Friends in New York City on Friday morning, President Trump said he believes that the shooting suspect in the death of Charlie Kirk has been caught.

"I think with a high degree of certainty we have him," Trump said. "I think we're in great shape, and he's in custody."

The FBI has not yet made such an announcement.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM GMT+8
Andrew Romano
Russian and Chinese bots are spreading 'disinformation' about Kirk's death to 'encourage violence,' says Utah governor


Utah Governor Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference at Utah Valley University on September 11, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox warned Americans late Thursday night of Russian and Chinese bots spreading online disinformation about Charlie Kirk's shooting death in an attempt to "encourage violence."

"There is a tremendous amount of disinformation," Cox said. "Our adversaries want violence. We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence. I would encourage you to ignore those."

Citing Kirk's example, Cox urged listeners to “put our phones down and spend a little time with our families" instead.

"We desperately need some healing," he added.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM GMT+8
Andrew Romano
Utah governor: Officials have received 7,000 tips and leads — but still 'need as much help as we can possibly get'


FBI director Kash Patel and Governor of Utah Spencer Cox leave a press conference at Utah Valley University on September 11, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Appearing with FBI Director Kash Patel, who flew to Utah Thursday to help oversee the bureau's investigation, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said late Thursday that authorities had received roughly 7,000 "tips and leads" related to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk — more “digital media tips,” Cox added, than the FBI has fielded at any point since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.

More than 20 law enforcement agencies and departments are collaborating on the investigation, the governor said; about 200 interviews have been conducted.

But with the suspect still at large, Cox pleaded with the public for additional information. "We need as much help as we can possibly get," he said.

Neither Cox nor any of the officials arrayed behind him answered questions from reporters. Patel did not speak.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 10:40 AM GMT+8
Andrew Romano
Authorities share new video of suspect fleeing scene of shooting

At a news conference late Thursday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason shared a new video of the suspect in Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting fleeing the scene of the crime.

The security-camera footage shows the shooter running across the roof of the Losee Center building on the Utah Valley University campus — about 150 yards away from the site where his bullet struck Kirk — before hanging off the edge and dropping to the grass below. He then walks towards a road and makes for the nearby woods where officials later recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle.

Mason went on to describe the suspect's attire, as shown in CCTV images released earlier Thursday: a black shirt with an American flag and bald eagle design; a baseball cap with a triangle on the front; a dark backpack; Converse sneakers.

“All distinctive, all things that would ask the public to look for and try to identify if they know someone who has those items,” said Mason.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 8:18 AM GMT+8
Mike Bebernes
More photos of person of interest released

The Utah Department of Public Safety shared additional images of the person of interest who is being sought in connection with Kirk's killing. The new images show a person wearing the same outfit as in earlier photos, but depict him from side and rear angles that had not been previously available.

Fri, September 12, 2025 at 8:10 AM GMT+8
Yahoo News Photo Staff, Neia Balao
Video shows Vance helping transport Kirk's casket

Vice President JD Vance helped uniformed personnel carry Charlie Kirk's casket to Air Force Two in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of Turning Point USA, shared a video on X of Vance walking alongside service members on the tarmac.

"Thank you for bringing our hero home @VP @JDVance," Bowyer wrote. "We are so grateful for you."

Vance traveled to Utah to escort Kirk's body to Arizona, where Kirk lived with his family.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM GMT+8
Mike Bebernes
President Trump attends 9/11 memorial at Yankee Stadium in wake of Kirk's killing

President Trump traveled to Yankee Stadium in New York City on Thursday evening to mark the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The Yankees advised fans to be prepared for "enhanced security measures" ahead of the game.

The president visited the Yankees locker room to meet the players before heading to a luxury box for the first pitch. Videos shared by fans in attendance show Trump waving to the crowd and joining in with a chant of "USA, USA, USA."


President Trump arrives at Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Fans wear T-shirts honoring Charlie Kirk prior to the Tigers-Yankees game. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Trump poses for a photo with the New York Yankees in their locker room before the game. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Members of the police and the Secret Service prepare for Trump's arrival at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Fri, September 12, 2025 at 6:46 AM GMT+8
Mike Bebernes
State Department threatens to take action against foreigners celebrating Kirk’s death

“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote in a post on social media Thursday.

Landau, a close colleague of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said he had instructed U.S. consulates to “undertake appropriate action” against any visitors to the U.S. who “glorify violence and hatred.”

Several social media users responded to his post with examples allegedly showing non-Americans making jokes about the shooting. Landau replied to several of these messages with an image of the State Department seal captioned “El Quitavisas,” a Spanish term that which roughly translates to “the Visa Remover.”


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 6:08 AM GMT+8
Andrew Romano
Man arrested on UVU campus for taking photos of crime scene


A view of the crime scene at Utah Valley University. (Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
The Utah Department of Public Safety announced Thursday that police arrested a man on the campus of Utah Valley University for trying to take photos of the crime scene where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed the previous day.

"At approximately 1100 hours today, a male entered the UVU school grounds and approached the shooting scene," DPS reported. "Ignoring police crime scene tape, he entered the secured area and began taking photos of the scene and Law Enforcement Officers. When an agent ordered him to stop and attempted to identify him, the male fled on foot but was soon apprehended by other officers."

The man was subsequently booked into the Utah County Jail for felony obstruction and trespassing.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 6:07 AM GMT+8
Mike Bebernes
Still no suspect in custody, law enforcement officials say

More than 24 hours after the shooting, authorities still do not have a suspect in custody, the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a news release Thursday afternoon.

"Multiple leads are currently being investigated," the department wrote.

The department also clarified that photos of a potential suspect released to the public were pulled from campus security footage shortly before the shooting.

A tip line has been set up where the public can provide any information they might have about the suspect. "No tip is too small," the release said.


Fri, September 12, 2025 at 5:54 AM GMT+8
Andrew Romano
Trump urges nonviolence in response to Kirk shooting


President Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for New York, Trump again blamed the "radical left" for Kirk's death, while also trying to steer Americans away from violent retaliation, saying Kirk himself "was an advocate of nonviolence."

"That’s the way I’d like to see people respond” to his killing, Trump said.

Asked whether he was concerned about his own security following yesterday’s assassination, Trump said, “not really.”

Show more updates