Suspected Killer of Charlie Kirk Said to Have Made Chilling Threat Before Arrest
Just over 48 hours after the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested in connection with the shooting. Court documents confirm he is being held without bail on charges including aggravated murder, felony firearm discharge, and obstruction of justice.

Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon in a wooded area where Robinson allegedly fled. Alongside it, they found bullet casings engraved with unusual phrases tied to internet culture, including gaming references, memes, and anti-fascist slogans. Experts say such inscriptions could be meaningless—or coded messages understood within specific online communities.

According to officials, Robinson allegedly told his father he would rather die than be taken alive. His father, a veteran lawman, recognized him in surveillance images and confronted him. With the help of a family youth pastor, Robinson was persuaded to surrender before U.S. Marshals and the FBI took him into custody late Thursday.

Governor Spencer Cox later revealed that Robinson had mentioned Kirk during a family dinner in the days before the shooting, expressing anger and hostility. Federal investigators are now examining whether his online activity and the inscriptions on the ammunition hold any deeper meaning connected to motive.

Meanwhile, scrutiny has fallen on Robinson’s family. His mother’s social media account was deleted shortly after his arrest, though no reason was provided. Relatives told investigators that Robinson, once a scholarship student at Utah State University, had grown increasingly political in recent years.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the speed of the investigation, noting that within 33 hours of the shooting more than 11,000 tips had been processed, leading to Robinson’s capture. For now, he remains in Utah County Jail as prosecutors prepare their case.