The capture of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, came after he reportedly confessed to a family member. Authorities confirmed Robinson was turned in after a relative shared his confession with a family friend, who then contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. That tip effectively ended a tense 33-hour manhunt that had gripped the United States.
At a Friday press conference, Utah Governor Spencer Cox stood alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, opening with the words many were waiting to hear: “We got him.” Investigators revealed Robinson had not only admitted to the shooting in private but also left behind troubling signs of his state of mind.
According to officials, bullets recovered from Robinson’s rifle carried disturbing etchings. Some bore taunts like “If you read this, you are gay LMAO,” while others carried political slogans such as “Hey fascist! Catch!” and references to “Bella Ciao”, an anti-fascist anthem.
Officials also said that video evidence further linked Robinson to the attack. Surveillance footage from Utah Valley University captured him in a grey Dodge Challenger when he arrived on campus the morning of the shooting. He was seen wearing a maroon T-shirt, light shorts, a black hat with a white logo, and light-coloured shoes, the same clothing investigators later noted when he was encountered in Washington County.
According to reports, in Discord messages with his roommate, Robinson allegedly discussed concealing a rifle in a towel and hiding it near the sniper’s nest. Investigators later recovered the weapon from that very spot.
A family friend who spoke to investigators described Robinson as “full of hate” in the days leading up to the assassination. That bitterness, combined with his online activity, video evidence and alleged confession, seemingly points to him being the shooter, who cut Kirk’s life short with a single, calculated shot.