US president says suspect was turned in by somebody ‘near him’ and that he hopes he will get ‘the dying penalty’.
Printed On 12 Sep 2025
United States authorities say they’ve arrested the person suspected of taking pictures useless right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk earlier this week, capping off a three-day manhunt in a case that has infected deep political tensions throughout the US.
In a press briefing Friday morning, Utah Governor Spencer Cox introduced “We acquired him” after which recognized the suspect in custody as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Cox mentioned a household buddy of Robinson’s contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Workplace with info that Robinson had confessed or implied he was liable for the taking pictures.
Cox additionally mentioned investigators uncovered messages from Robinson on the messaging utility Discord referencing the rifle he used and engravings on bullets.
The Utah governor famous {that a} relative of Robinson interviewed by investigators mentioned Robinson had turn out to be extra political in recent times.
The announcement got here shortly after US President Donald Trump gave the primary indication Kirk’s alleged assailant had been apprehended, saying “I believe, with a excessive diploma of certainty, now we have him”.
Trump, talking on Fox Information, mentioned {that a} minister, who can also be linked to regulation enforcement, turned within the suspect to authorities. Trump mentioned that he hoped the suspect acquired “the dying penalty”.
Trump additionally mentioned he plans to attend the funeral of Kirk, who was shot Wednesday as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at Utah Valley College in Orem.
Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him “the best particular person” who was “like a son” to him. He mentioned Kirk was “an excellent man” who helped him win the election with TikTok and energised younger voters. “I’ve by no means seen younger individuals go to 1 particular person like they did to Charlie,” Trump added.
The assassination affords the newest instance of how extraordinary safety measures might be defeated in an period of escalating political violence, when anybody related to the political course of is a possible goal.
Trump mentioned political occasions should proceed regardless of security considerations. “It’s a must to go ahead,” he mentioned when requested about appearances getting cancelled after Kirk’s dying.
Earlier the FBI circulated grainy safety pictures exhibiting a person in a black long-sleeved shirt, darkish sun shades and a baseball cap. The shirt appeared to function a bald eagle flying throughout a US flag. Different footage confirmed the shooter working throughout a roof earlier than reducing himself to the bottom.
“Anyone this shut recognises even just a little tilt of the top, which no person else would do,” Trump mentioned on Fox.
Trump advised the suspect’s father had pushed him to a police station and handed him over to authorities.
Kirk, a conservative commentator and shut ally of Trump, was credited with boosting Republican assist amongst youthful voters. He was killed moments earlier than main a debate titled “Show Me Fallacious” at Utah Valley College, about 65km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake Metropolis.
