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.
Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognised him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.
That family member was apparently 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 contacted a family friend who informed the sheriff's office.
At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss 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 Robinson had become 'more political' in recent years.
The relative also said that during a dinner conversation before the attack, 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 Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. His parents, Matthew Carl Robinson and Amber Denise Robinson are registered Republicans, according to state records.
Robinson was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting. In a statement, the Utah Board of Higher Education said Tyler James Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College.
Investigators say Robinson was steeped in online culture, pointing to inscriptions on shell casings linked to the case that display apparent references to online trolling humour. Authorities said Robinson also appeared to have been active on Discord, the social media platform primarily used by gamers, but now also popular with other communities.
For now, Robinson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges. 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.
Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognised him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.
That family member was apparently 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 contacted a family friend who informed the sheriff's office.
At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss 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 Robinson had become 'more political' in recent years.
The relative also said that during a dinner conversation before the attack, 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 Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. His parents, Matthew Carl Robinson and Amber Denise Robinson are registered Republicans, according to state records.
Robinson was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting. In a statement, the Utah Board of Higher Education said Tyler James Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College.
Investigators say Robinson was steeped in online culture, pointing to inscriptions on shell casings linked to the case that display apparent references to online trolling humour. Authorities said Robinson also appeared to have been active on Discord, the social media platform primarily used by gamers, but now also popular with other communities.
For now, Robinson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges. 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.
