Utah’s governor stated that a family friend facilitated the surrender of the individual accused of assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk to authorities.
Following his arrest, the FBI disseminated images of the individual believed to have assassinated US conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox named the suspect as Tyler Robinson, a young state native and a student at the university campus where Kirk sustained the fatal gunshot wound.
Governor Cox disclosed during a Friday press conference that a “family friend” brought the suspected assassin to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday evening, following a family member’s revelation that Robinson had “confessed to them or hinted at his involvement in the incident.”
AP reported that Robinson’s father, upon recognizing his son in the FBI-released photographs, persuaded him to surrender with the assistance of a youth pastor. While initially resistant, he later acquiesced, as an investigation source told the news outlet.
“I commend the family members of Tyler Robinson who acted appropriately in this situation and facilitated his surrender to law enforcement,” Cox expressed.
“During a discussion with another relative, Robinson brought up Charlie Kirk’s upcoming visit to UVU (Utah Valley University). They discussed their disapproval of Kirk and his perspectives. The family member also characterized Kirk as hateful and propagating hatred,” the governor further noted.
Regarding Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, Utah Governor Cox stated:
“We apprehended him!” The family reportedly indicated Tyler claimed Kirk was “‘replete with hatred’ and ‘disseminating hate.'”
— Sophie Rain Thread 🔥❤️ (@SophieRainForum)
Cox stated that investigators uncovered Discord messages where the suspect informed his roommate of his need “to obtain a rifle from a designated drop point.” Additional messages detailed Robinson conducting surveillance of the vicinity, concealing the rifle in a towel-wrapped bush, and inscribing the ammunition.
According to Cox, the three unspent cartridges discovered at the crime scene bore inscriptions including the phrases “Hey Fascist! Catch!” accompanied by arrow symbols, “Oh Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Ciao Ciao,” and “if you read this, you are gay, LMAO.”
On Wednesday, Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot in the throat during a speech delivered at a UVU amphitheater, subsequently dying from his injuries in a hospital. The conservative youth activist, a father of two, established his public persona through engaging in debates with political adversaries.
Authorities have characterized the homicide as a deliberate political assassination.