Utah authorities on Friday identified and arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, as the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, bringing a dramatic end to a two-day manhunt that gripped the nation.
Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson, who lives in southern Utah, was taken into custody late Thursday after confessing to his father. Cox said Robinson's father recognized him in photos released by law enforcement and urged him to surrender. Two law enforcement officials told reporters that Robinson's father first reported the confession to clergy, who then tipped off the U.S. Marshals Service.
President Donald Trump broke the news during an appearance on "Fox and Friends" Friday morning, saying the suspect was in custody. "I hope he gets the death penalty," Trump said.
Cox credited Robinson's family for cooperating with investigators. They "did the right thing," he said. Robinson was booked into Utah County Jail early Friday morning, and investigators confirmed that he was wearing clothing consistent with security footage that captured the suspect arriving at Utah Valley University before the shooting.
Kirk, 31, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot once in the neck while hosting a "Prove Me Wrong" debate on Wednesday. More than 3,000 people were in attendance. The Utah Department of Public Safety said the single shot is believed to have been fired from the roof of the Losee Center for Student Success.
Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel along the suspect's escape route. Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City field office, said three unfired cartridges were found with inscriptions, including "Hey fascist, catch!" and "oh bella ciao, bella cio, bella ciao, ciao, ciao." Cox told reporters, "I will leave that up to you to interpret what those engravings mean," but added the "Hey fascist" message "speaks for itself."
Authorities said Robinson jumped off the building after firing the shot and fled into a nearby neighborhood. Surveillance footage released by the FBI showed a person dressed in dark clothing with a baseball cap and backpack climbing down from the rooftop.
Kirk's body was flown to Arizona on Air Force Two Thursday, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, who helped carry the casket. Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff through Sunday and announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him "a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people."
