What To know About The Hunt For Suspect In Charlie Kirk's Killing
Authorities have shared their most detailed account yet of the investigation set off by the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which concluded with a suspect surrendering to police.
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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 during his presentation to students at Utah University
Authorities have recently released their most comprehensive report on the investigation following American conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's assassination, which ended when the suspect turned himself in to law enforcement.
Utah County prosecutor Jeffrey Gray has disclosed these crucial details about the case involving 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson:
## Sniper Locations When a single gunshot disrupted Kirk's outdoor event on September 10, a Utah Valley University police officer determined it was likely from a rifle "because of its sound," Gray explained, and immediately began searching for "potential sniper positions."
Approximately 160 yards (150 meters) away, the officer identified a rooftop area "as a potential shooting position."
At this location, he discovered "impressions in the gravel" matching the outline of a "person in a prone shooting position."
Security footage confirmed that someone dressed in dark clothing was present on the roof at about 12:15 pm local time, according to Gray.
This discovery initiated a 33-hour manhunt.
## The Assault The apparent perpetrator entered campus at 11:51 am local time, wearing a black shirt featuring an American flag in the center, a dark baseball cap and large sunglasses, Gray reported.
While his appearance provided few identifying characteristics, the suspect's posture suggested he was concealing something.
"The suspect keeps his head down. He is seen walking with an unusual gait, with very little bending in his right leg, consistent with a rifle being hidden in his pants," Gray stated.
Surveillance cameras also captured the suspect descending from the roof immediately after the shooting and leaving campus on foot.
A scoped rifle was later recovered in nearby woods, wrapped in a towel.
"The rifle contained one spent round and three unspent rounds," Gray noted.
The unused rounds were inscribed with cryptic messages: "hey fascist catch" followed by arrow symbols believed to be a video game cheat code, lyrics from the famous anti-fascist anthem "oh, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, ciao, ciao" and "if you read this, you are gay, lmao."
Authorities found Robinson's DNA on the gun's trigger, the shell casing, two cartridges and the towel.
This wasn't the only evidence identifying him.
## Parental Recognition The following day, Tyler Robinson's mother viewed footage of the shooter on news broadcasts and recognized similarities to her son.
However, when she called him, "he said he was at home sick," as he claimed to have been the previous day, Gray reported.
Robinson's father also identified "that the rifle that police suspected the shooter used matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift."
Robinson's mother informed investigators her son had recently "become more political and had started to lean more to the left" in support of gay and trans rights, according to Gray.
"She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views."
Robinson characterized his father as becoming "hardcore MAGA" since Trump's return to the White House, Gray said, referencing the president's "Make America Great Again" movement.
During a phone conversation with his parents, Robinson implied he was the shooter, expressing fear of imprisonment and suggesting suicidal thoughts.
Robinson's parents worked to persuade him to surrender.
## Concealed Message Following the shooting, Robinson exchanged messages with his roommate.
"Drop what you're doing. Look under my keyboard," Robinson wrote.
There, a note revealed: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it."
Court documents include these conversation excerpts:
Roommate: "What you're joking, right?"
Robinson: "I am still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you."
Roommate: "You weren't the one who did it, right?"
Robinson: "I am, I am, I'm sorry."
Roommate: "Why?"
Robinson: "Why did I do it? I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence."
Robinson told the roommate he'd been planning the shooting for just over a week before adding:
"I'm worried what my old man would do if I didn't bring back grandpa's rifle. How the f will I explain losing it to my old man?"
Robinson later added: "Delete this exchange...I'm going to turn myself in willingly."
Thirty-three hours after the shooting, Robinson did exactly that.