UTAH – Authorities are piecing together the events that led to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, focusing on the background of the 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson.
Tyler Robinson is expected to face an aggravated-murder charge, which carries the death penalty, for killing 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday.
The 22-year-old suspect from Washington, Utah, will also face charges of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice, the affidavit said.
Prosecutors are expected to formally file charges against Robinson at his first court appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 16, according to Christopher Ballard of the Utah County Attorney’s Office.
The motive behind the brazen killing, which has sparked a national debate over political violence, remains unclear.
At 12:23 p.m., Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an American Comeback Tour event. Sitting under a tent displaying the tour title, Kirk was in a back-and-forth exchange with a UVU student about mass shootings in the United States. A single shot was fired during the exchange, which hit Kirk in the neck.
Conflicting Ideologies and Online Culture
According to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, investigators have found what they believe to be anti-fascist messages engraved on bullet casings in a rifle found near the scene. One casing was inscribed with “Hey fascist! Catch!”—a message that Cox said “speaks for itself.” A family member of Robinson’s told investigators the suspect had “become more political in recent years” and had lashed out at Kirk during a recent family dinner, criticizing him for “spreading hate.”
However, other engravings found on the bullet casings included a mix of memes and allusions to popular video games, such as Helldivers 2 and Far Cry 6, suggesting a deep immersion in an online world where meanings are often ambiguous. These messages have complicated the search for a clear political motive.
A Quiet and Shy Student
Those who knew Robinson described him as a quiet and reserved individual. An electrician who worked with him recently said Robinson “wasn’t talkative unless he was spoken to” and “didn’t really talk political” unless prompted. He added that Robinson “wasn’t too fond of Trump or Charlie (Kirk).”
This description conflicts with the memories of a former high school classmate who said Robinson and his family were “diehard Trump” supporters during the 2020 election. The classmate recalled Robinson as being “very, very big into gaming” and “a little goofy,” but never remembered him making concerning statements.
Voter registration records show that Robinson is currently registered as an unaffiliated voter and has never cast a ballot.
A Promising Path Derailed
Robinson grew up in a close-knit family in a quiet suburb of St. George, Utah. After graduating from Pine View High School in 2021 with a 4.0 GPA, he received a four-year merit scholarship to Utah State University. However, he left after just one semester and never returned. He later enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College and obtained an apprentice electrician license in 2022.
The manhunt for the suspect lasted 33 hours and ended after Robinson’s family recognized him from photos released by the FBI. A law enforcement official told CNN that Robinson’s father, after confronting him, convinced him to turn himself in to authorities with the help of a youth pastor. Robinson has not yet spoken to investigators. The family’s parents are registered Republicans and are seen by neighbors as friendly and helpful.
Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service
A public memorial service for the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk is scheduled to take place in Arizona on Sunday, Sept. 21, according to Turning Point USA.
The nonprofit, which advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses, shared an X post announcing the morning event at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor the life of Kirk.
“Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk, an American legend,” the post reads with details for the service scheduled to take place at the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
Doors are expected to open for Kirk’s memorial service at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST), according to the organization, and the program is planned to begin at 11 a.m. MST.
His body was transported by Air Force Two from Salt Lake City, Utah, to the Phoenix mortuary on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the memorial service.
