A 22-year-old man from Utah, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. Authorities believe Robinson acted alone in the shooting that took place on Wednesday. Charlie Kirk, co-founder of the youth organisation Turning Point USA and a known ally of former President Donald Trump, was speaking at the university when he was shot.
Events leading up to the tragedy began with a petition on Change.org that sought to prevent Kirk’s appearance, although the university affirmed its dedication to free speech. On the day of the incident, Kirk started his speech around noon in the Fountain Courtyard, while the suspected shooter was reported to have arrived on campus shortly before.
At approximately 12:20 PM, gunfire erupted during the event’s debate segment, with the shot believed to have originated from around 183 metres away. Emergency communications revealed that Kirk was down and had been taken to an ambulance shortly after being shot in the neck. Despite immediate medical intervention, Kirk succumbing to his injuries later that day, with the tragic news announced by Trump on social media.
FBI agents arrived at the scene as videos shared online later depicted the shocking moment of the shooting, with witnesses expressing their horror as they fled. By early afternoon, the university’s alert system confirmed that authorities had detained the shooting suspect.
Robinson was apprehended later that evening after a family member alerted authorities to his potential involvement. He has been booked on multiple charges, including aggravated murder, which carries severe penalties, including the death penalty. Investigators are expected to file formal charges soon, as the case continues to unfold.