At a press conference this morning, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) announced a suspect in the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has been arrested. He is identified as Utah resident Tyler James Robinson, 22 (mug shot via Utah Department of Safety).
Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Lucas Alfred told reporters that Robinson allegedly confessed to the shooting to a family member, who told a family friend, who, in turn, contacted authorities.
Officials are holding a news conference after President Trump announced a person was in custody in the Charlie Kirk shooting. Watch live. https://t.co/tCk7qHMTJ7
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 12, 2025
“Hey fascist! Catch!”
“If you read this, you are gay lmao.”
— Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) reads some of the alleged messages the suspect engraved on the casings in the rifle he used to kill Charlie Kirk pic.twitter.com/iNx5k14819
— The Recount (@therecount) September 12, 2025
More from the New York Times (gift link):
Video surveillance footage from Utah Valley University shows Tyler Robinson, whom the authorities accuse of shooting Charlie Kirk, arriving near the campus in a Dodge Challenger on Wednesday morning, about four hours before the attack, the Utah governor says.
Authorities in this news conference have described extensive evidence that they say ties the suspect in custody to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, including statements to relatives suggesting that he committed the crime, social media messages and physical evidence.
There were engravings on unfired ammunition left with the gun that officials believe was used in the shooting, Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah says in a news conference. One of them read, “Hey fascist! Catch!” the governor said, adding that another read, “If you read this, you are gay LMAO,” an acronym for “laughing my ass off.”
Robinson is facing at least three felony charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and weapons charges. No motive is known at this time.
Yesterday, Donald Trump Jr, far-right Twitter X account user Libs Of TikTok, and others claimed that “trans ideology” was found on Robinson’s ammo casings. #Nope.
Within hours, senior law enforcement contradicted the reports. This morning, officials revealed that the actual engravings had nothing to do with trans or LGBTQ people at all—they were internet memes unrelated to transgender people.
Robinson doesn’t appear to be transgender, Black, or Muslim. He was reportedly raised by conservative parents in Utah who are registered Republicans (dad was a sheriff), introduced to guns at a young age, and dressed up as Trump for Halloween a few years ago.
Reuters reports voter records show Robinson’s voter registration with the state lists his party affiliation as “unaffiliated.” He is listed as an “inactive” voter, which indicates he did not cast a ballot in last year’s presidential election.
He is a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George, Utah, according to the Utah Board of Higher Education. He also attended Utah State University in Logan for one semester in 2021.
You can follow updates at the New York Times here.
Tyler Robinson is not transgender.
Both his parents are registered Republicans. pic.twitter.com/Aak4u0R9Ib
— Brittney (@AZ_Brittney) September 12, 2025
SO! Tyler Robinson was:
– Not Black
– Not Trans
– Not Muslim
– Not HispanicBasically, he was a kid who wore a Donald Trump costume for Halloween.
Did I get that right? pic.twitter.com/Hb77EyxeFa
— Lucas Sanders ️ (@LucasSa56947288) September 12, 2025
BREAKING: Tyler Robinson of Utah:
What we know:
His father is a retired sheriff.
Mormon
White
Raised with guns and shooting
Wore a Trump costume for Halloween pic.twitter.com/F1jtunJ2py— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) September 12, 2025
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