BREAKING: Kirk’s Killer Caught, Confesses

A 22-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday. Robinson is alleged to have confessed, at least in part, to a family friend that he carried out the crime — it was that admission, according to authorities, that led to the tips that helped bring him in.

Robinson was arrested nearly 33 hours after Kirk was shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The Governor said Robinson had become more political in recent times and had expressed strong criticism of Kirk. According to reports, Robinson had made a disparaging comment about Kirk during a family dinner just days before the shooting.

President Trump appeared on Fox & Friends Friday morning to address the arrest of Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter. “With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said, adding that “somebody close to him turned him in.” He praised the work of local and state law enforcement as “great” and credited their efforts over the last several days: “Everybody did a great job… we started off with absolutely nothing … We just saw there was somebody up there.” He also said he hoped the suspect would face the death penalty, calling Charlie Kirk “the finest person… He didn’t deserve this.”

The evidence in the case reportedly includes that Robinson “implied” or “confessed” to the murder to a friend — though specifics of the confession have not been made fully public. Authorities say the shooting was carried out with a sniper-style bolt-action rifle fired from a rooftop. Images of Robinson were circulated, and law enforcement says when the family friend heard what had been said, they alerted authorities.

The arrest has opened new lines in the investigation, especially around motive. The reports of Robinson’s political animosity toward Kirk have raised questions about whether this was a targeted political killing. Governor Cox described it as a pre-meditated act and emphasized that political violence cannot be tolerated. 

As of now, further details remain under seal. Prosecutors have not released the full confession or made public the locations of all evidence. Robinson is expected to face charges related to the shooting.

Previously, Governor Cox had reminded reporters that Utah does have the death penalty.