Authorities announced Friday morning they had arrested Tyler James Robinson in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. What have we learned about Robinson since?
Robinson’s background
Robinson, 22, grew up in Utah and had been living with his parents “for a long time,” according to authorities. Pictures posted to social media show he was the oldest of three brothers.
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He attended Pine View High School in St. George, Utah, and graduated in 2021, school officials confirmed.
Robinson is currently a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George.
“He briefly attended Utah State University (one semester in 2021) and received concurrent enrollment credit through Utah Tech University while in high school (2019-2021),” the Utah Board of Higher Education told Straight Arrow News.
Photos and videos from his mother’s since-deactivated Facebook account suggest Robinson was a model student. One video showed him reading aloud an acceptance letter from Utah State.
Neighbors said they would have “never expected” he would be arrested in connection with a homicide.
“He was always very quiet, had just a few friends,” Kristin Schwiermann, who said she’s known the family for decades, said to USA Today. “I think he was more on the musical side, very smart.”
Robinson has no prior criminal record.
Neighbors told USA Today the Robinson family is Mormon and members of the Church of Latter-day Saints. President Donald Trump revealed on “Fox and Friends” that a “person of faith” helped identify Robinson as the shooter.
Robinson’s political views
Voter records show Robinson had not declared a political affiliation. His parents are registered Republicans.
Authorities said Robinson allegedly became “more political” leading up to the shooting and reportedly mentioned Kirk’s upcoming Utah visit during a family dinner.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, said during the news conference Friday.
The governor cited evidence of engravings on bullet casings found in the rifle that authorities believe was used in the shooting.
“Hey fascist! Catch!” one said, according to Cox. The message was accompanied by an up arrow system, a right arrow symbol and three down arrows.
The arrows on the first casing were recognized as a combo from the video game “Helldivers 2,” according to The Verge. That code calls for an “Eagle 500kg Bomb” in the game that thematically concerns fascism.
A second casing quoted an antifascist anthem popular with video gamers called “Bella Ciao.” A third casing, according to Cox, said, “If you read this, you are gay lmao.”
Authorities also said Robinson was active on the social media platform Discord, which is popular with gamers.
Who he isn’t
Despite some photos circulating online, Robinson is reportedly not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. A spokesperson for DSA told the Salt Lake Tribune those photos are not Robinson and he’s not a registered member at any chapter.
Robinson is also not a registered Democrat. President Donald Trump has blamed the killing on the “radical left,” while other Republicans, such as Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said Democrats were responsible for Kirk’s death.
Robinson’s arrest
FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson was taken into custody around 10 p.m. local time Thursday.
Authorities said his family turned him in.
“A family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” Cox said.
The governor thanked the family members for “doing the right thing.”
“This would not have been possible without you, the media and you, the public,” Patel said. “That’s why we went so public so fast, and we’re so transparent, and we’re committed to that transparency.”
Authorities plan to file aggravated murder charges on Tuesday, which will make Robinson eligible for the death penalty.
Trump announced the arrest during a live interview on Fox News.
