OREM, Utah — Police have arrested a man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk in what officials are calling a targeted, politically motivated attack. The shooting has raised new concerns about political violence in the United States.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Friday that Tyler Robinson, 22, had shown strong opposition to Kirk’s political views before the attack. After the shooting, Robinson reportedly told a family friend he was responsible. Investigators also found bullets engraved with messages and discovered online chat messages linked to Robinson that a roommate shared with police.
Cox called the killing “an attack on the American experiment” and urged people to “choose a different path.” He said Robinson appears to have acted alone, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Former President Donald Trump announced Robinson’s arrest during a Fox News interview early Friday, saying, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him.” Officials had released photos of the suspect Thursday night, asking the public for help, which suggested they were unsure of his location at the time.
Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot once while speaking at a debate at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was taken to a hospital but died hours later. Police said the shooter used a high-powered rifle, fired from a rooftop, and then escaped into nearby woods.
Videos shared online show Kirk speaking when a gunshot rings out. He grabs his neck as the crowd screams and runs for safety. The shooter, described as appearing college-aged, blended in with the crowd before leaving the scene.
Trump and leaders from both political parties condemned the killing. Trump said Kirk would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Vice President JD Vance and his wife visited Kirk’s family, and Vance praised Kirk as a key figure in Republican organizing.
Kirk’s casket was flown to Arizona, where Turning Point USA is based. Funeral details have not yet been shared.
Before the shooting, Kirk had been taking questions about gun violence as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” His appearance at Utah Valley University had been controversial, with an online petition opposing his visit gathering nearly 1,000 signatures. The university defended the event, citing free speech rights.
During the chaos after the gunshot, some people barricaded themselves in classrooms using tables and even an electric pencil sharpener to block doors. On Thursday, the stage canopy from Kirk’s event, marked with his slogan “PROVE ME WRONG,” still stood on campus.
Leaders from both major parties continued to denounce the attack on Friday, saying political disagreements should never lead to violence.
