Tense 33-hour search ends as suspected Charlie Kirk shooter falls

International

“WE have him.”

US President Donald Trump’s announcement on live television Friday morning marked the conclusion of a tense 33-hour search for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event attended by thousands at Utah Valley University (UVU).

The suspect, identified by Utah authorities as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody Thursday night.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed the arrest, saying Robinson would face formal charges next week.

According to a Utah County Sheriff’s booking sheet obtained by the BBC, those charges include aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony firearm offenses.

Robinson, an electrical apprentice from St. George, Utah, had been living with his parents. CBS reported that his father recognized him in FBI-released surveillance images and confronted him.

He admitted involvement but initially said he would rather take his own life than surrender. His father sought help from a family friend and youth pastor, who also serves as a court security officer. Together, they persuaded Robinson to remain calm, and the pastor alerted U.S. Marshals, who carried out the arrest.

Investigators said Robinson arrived on campus nearly four hours before the shooting in a grey Dodge Challenger.

Relatives told authorities he had become more political in recent years and had spoken disparagingly about Kirk at a recent family dinner.

Messages obtained from the Discord app suggested he had stashed a rifle at a “drop point” prior to the attack. The weapon—a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope—was recovered in a wooded area near the campus, wrapped in a towel. Spent casings engraved with phrases, including taunts and lyrics from the Italian resistance song Bella Ciao, were found nearby.

FBI Director Kash Patel said agents arrived at the scene within 16 minutes of the shooting and quickly gathered forensic evidence.

Surveillance footage showed the gunman firing from a rooftop before climbing down, leaving palm prints and a Converse shoe print that matched the suspect in FBI images. He then crossed into traffic and disappeared into the woods, where the rifle was later recovered.

Patel noted that investigators processed more than 11,000 tips during the manhunt.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason stressed that although Robinson is now in custody, the investigation is ongoing.

Washington City police and Washington County sheriff’s deputies were seen outside Robinson’s home following his arrest, but authorities have not indicated that additional arrests are expected.(MyTVCebu)