The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, a Utah native who had been living with his parents 'for a long time', authorities said.
Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognized him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.
That family member was apparently Robinson's father, who encouraged him to turn himself in, the BBC's US partner CBS News has reported, citing two law enforcement sources. The father then reportedly contacted a family friend who informed the sheriff's office.
At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss Robinson's background, political leanings, or possible motive, saying the investigation was ongoing.
We are confident we have the right individual in custody, an FBI spokesperson said, but we are still working to establish the full picture of who he is and why he acted.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that a family member interviewed by investigators noted that Robinson had become more political in recent years.
The relative also mentioned that during a dinner conversation before the attack, Robinson stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate and emphasized Kirk's upcoming event at Utah Valley University, according to Cox.
Public records reviewed by the BBC suggest Robinson had registered as an unaffiliated voter in Utah, while his parents are registered Republicans. He was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting.
In a statement, the Utah Board of Higher Education confirmed Robinson was a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College, having previously attended Utah State University and earned concurrent credits through Utah Tech University while in high school.
Social media accounts indicate Robinson's father runs a kitchen countertop and cabinet installation business, while his mother is a social worker. The family is Mormon and active in the local church.
Investigators state that Robinson was steeped in online culture, highlighting inscriptions on shell casings linked to the case that include references to online trolling humor. Casings had whimsical phrases that point to typical internet meme culture.
Meanwhile, other casings displayed apparent sympathies for the anti-fascist movement, with one casing inscribed with words such as Hey fascist! Catch! Authorities noted that Robinson appeared to be active on Discord, a social media platform used frequently by gamers. His roommate disclosed discussions about weapon acquisition via direct messages on the platform.
For now, Robinson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges, with investigations continuing into his background, motives, and potential affiliations as officials label the incident as one of the most significant political killings in recent US history.
