Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson arrested, widow vows to fight

Editor's note: This page summarizes developments for Friday, Sept. 12 after the killing of Charlie Kirk. For the latest news, visit USA TODAY's coverage of Charlie Kirk's death for Saturday, Sept. 13.

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah – The suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is in custody on a murder charge while the conservative influencer's widow spoke publicly about her husband's killing for the first time on Friday, vowing to continue his mission.

The shooter was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, said Gov. Spencer Cox. He was arrested after a relative contacted a family friend, who told authorities that Robinson had "confessed to them or implied that he committed the incident." Authorities said they tied him to the crime through a review of online messages, interviews with his family and friends, and surveillance video.

Robinson was arrested around 10 p.m. local time Thursday and will face charges of aggravated murder and two other felonies, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we got him," Cox said.

In the hours after the arrest, the scene outside Robinson's Washington City home was eerily quiet. A crowd of reporters gathered across the street from the family home as police officers directed people to stay away from the property.

President Donald Trump first announced the suspect’s capture in an appearance on Fox and Friends earlier Friday.  

The news caps a frantic search after authorities, as recently as Thursday evening, said they had "no idea" where the suspect might be.

Kirk, 31, was killed by a single gunshot on Wednesday afternoon while speaking in front of some 3,000 people as part of his "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Kirk was answering an audience question about mass shootings when the bullet struck his neck, causing students and visitors to flee in panic.

Charlie Kirk's widow vows to continue husband's mission

In her first public comments since her husband was gunned down, a tearful Erika Kirk vowed to continue her husband’s movement and said that “the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

“The evil-doers for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done,” she said in a livestream on Turning Point USA's YouTube page.

“They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God’s love,” she continued. “They should all know this. If you thought my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you have unleashed across this country and this world.”

She added: “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife.”

She said her husband’s campus tour will continue, more tours will come and his radio and podcast show will go on.

Police remove items from home of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

State and federal authorities hauled away a car and other items from the Washington, Utah, house where the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk lived.

An unmarked vehicle showed up at Tyler Robinson's house around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sept. 12. Several FBI agents and plain-clothed authorities went into the house. Later, a gray car was loaded onto a flatbed to truck and agents emerged with what appeared to be a black satchel and put it into the unmarked vehicle.

They left with the car around 5:30 local time and the last of the police left around 7 p.m.

Police had blocked access to the Robinson house throughout the day and no one else was seen coming or going.  

Discord removes Tyler Robinson account, disputes some accusations

Discord, the online chat app linked to accused Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson, disputed some details of his use of the app that authorities shared at a Friday news conference.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Robinson's roommate showed investigators Discord messages from Robinson that contained references to a rifle that needed to be retrieved and engravings on bullet casings found with the accused shooter’s gun.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Discord said the messages Cox mentioned do not appear to have been sent on Discord.

“In the course of our investigation, we identified a Discord account associated with the suspect, but have found no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence on Discord,” the company statment said.

Discord has “removed the suspect’s account for violating our off-platform behavior policy," the company said. “We strongly condemn violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement.”

– Josh Meyer

Neighbor: 'I don't know why he would do it'

Three doors down from the house where Tyler Robinson grew up, Kristin Schwiermann was finding it hard to reconcile the young man she thought she knew with the shooting.

“He wasn’t that kind of kid,” said Schwiermann, 66. “He was raised in this neighborhood with good people and good family and I just don’t know why he would do that.”

Schwiermann has lived on the street for 16 years and the Robinson family has been there the whole time. She worked as head custodian at Riverside Elementary School when Tyler Robinson was a student there. She described him as quiet, friendly, smart and hard-working.

“Matt and Amber are very hard-working parents, they love their kids,” she said. “This is a total shock because that’s not who Tyler was … that’s not who Tyler is, and that’s what shocks us all. If he did this … I don’t know why he would do it.”

She said she was a member of the same congregation as the Robinsons, part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though the family has not been active recently. She doesn’t know about the family's politics.

“In a Latter-day Saint community, we just don’t talk politics because it makes contention, she said. “I don’t care what you stand for, whether you’re a Republican or Independent or Democrat. We have our opinions, we keep our politics to ourselves.”

When will charges be filed against the suspected shooter?

Prosecutors are expected to file charges against Robinson at his first court appearance on Tuesday, Sep. 16, according to Christopher Ballard of the Utah County Attorney’s Office.

Robinson’s hearing is set to begin at 3 p.m. local time, Ballard said. 

Suspect attended Dixie Technical College, school confirms

The Utah Board of Higher Education released information that Tyler James Robinson is documented as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College, based in St. George, in southwestern Utah.

He briefly attended Utah State University in 2021 and received concurrent enrollment credit through Utah Tech University while in high school.

Social media photos show suspect on family trips, sometimes handling a gun

The Facebook page for the mother of Tyler Robinson, as of about 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 12, included photos of him on various family trips over many years, including to Hawaii, Alaska, and Disneyland.

In 2020, the family went on a multi-day, guided trip down the Colorado River, according to a post from June 30 of that year. Accompanying photos showed Tyler Robinson in the water, along with his family.

There were some photos that showed Robinson handling a gun, although gun use didn't feature prominently among the many photos of him and his family over several years. Records show that both of his parents have Utah hunting licenses. 

For instance, a post on July 6, 2014, that described a "camping, hiking, and shooting" trip included a photo of him as a child holding a gun, as well as other photos of him in the outdoors.

– Aysha Bagchi and Dinah Pulver

Former classmates 'shocked' by Tyler Robinson's arrest

Xander Luke, 22, graduated in the same Pine View High School class of 2021 as Tyler Robinson and remembered him from several classes they had together.

Luke said he was scrolling TikTok on Sept. 12 when he saw Robinson’s mugshot and thought he looked familiar, then quickly realized the connection.

“I was floored,” Luke said. “Everyone from our class is shocked, but it started to make a little sense since he was politically active and outspoken about people’s rights.”

Luke said he and Robinson shared sentiments about government and political corruption and a view that the system in general was not solving the nation’s problems.

He described Robinson as deeply immersed in Internet and meme culture. He also had thoughts on the reported engravings on shell casings that police have described.

“From what I remember, his family was more conservative, but Tyler thought the entire system was out of place,” Luke told USA TODAY. “He thought both political sides were contributing to a country being in a worse place and not improving the world.”

Luke said he views those casual high school conversations through a different lens after the violence at Utah Valley University.

He said it was shocking to imagine that his former classmate could have “branched off from those beliefs into doing something like this,” Luke said.

Neighbors recall Tyler Robinson as a 'quiet' kid

Those who knew 22-year-old Tyler Robinson said they would have “never expected” him to be accused of murder.

Robert Sylvester, a longtime neighbor, said he knew the suspect from small interactions over the years. Once, Sylvester recalled, Tyler Robinson helped him look for a water shutoff valve after a leak. 

“He was quiet − we didn’t really communicate back and forth,” Sylvester said. “A lot of people call that politeness. He was so introverted I didn’t look at it as polite, I looked at is as off, or strange.” 

He remembered seeing the Robinson brothers doing the typical things kids in the neighborhood did, like racing down the street. 

“Never expected it,” Sylvester said. “It just tears me apart.” 

– David DeMille and Karissa Waddick

Suspect arrested on three felony charges

Robinson was arrested on felony charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice in Utah County court, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY. 

He's being held without bail, according to an order from Judge Shawn R. Howell. Court documents confirm Robinson had no prior felony or misdemeanor convictions on his record. 

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox previously said more detailed information will come when official charging documents are filed, which is expected to occur early next week in preparation for a preliminary hearing.

Robinson's mother celebrated his teen accomplishments

As of about 9 a.m. EDT on Sept. 12, the Facebook page for suspect Tyler Robinson's mother was filled with celebrations of her son's milestones and accomplishments.

On May 18, 2017, when Tyler Robinson would have been 14 years old, she said that her son made the "high honor roll" at school, was "beautifully talented on the piano," and enjoyed participating in choir. 

"Tyler is my tech genius and the best helper I could ask for!" his mother added.

In an April 26, 2018 post, soon after her son turned 15, she said he won an award for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average at school that year. 

"Proud mama moment for sure!" she added, with a hashtag calling him a "smartypants." The post included a photo of Robinson wearing a medal and holding a certificate.

In a post dated Aug. 25, 2021, she describes driving her son up to Logan, Utah, where Utah State University is located.

"Driving away without him was one of the most difficult things I've had to do in a long time," she wrote. " He's so excited to start this journey and it's going to be so amazing for him!"

What do we know about Charlie Kirk's funeral?

Details on Charlie Kirk's funeral arrangements are still forthcoming as of Friday morning. Kirk's funeral will be in Arizona, where he lived with his wife and two children before his death.

"Unfortunately, at this time the service time is still pending," a spokesperson for Hansen Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix told USA TODAY by phone about 9:30 a.m. local time.

Kirk's body was transported by Air Force Two from Salt Lake City, Utah, to a Phoenix mortuary on Thursday.

Trump told reporters he plans to attend the service.

– Natalie Neysa Alund

'A different path': Utah governor pleads for dialogue

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox made a plea to young Americans, asking them to reject violence in the wake of Kirk's killing.

In a news conference that took on the mood of a sermon or a eulogy for the slain conservative organizer, Cox all but begged fellow Americans to turn away from angry division.

"To my young friends out there, you are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage, it feels like rage is the only option," said Cox, who is a Republican.

Through Kirk's encouragement of "reasonable agreement," Cox said, "we have a reminder that we can choose a different path."

– Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Very quiet, musical, few friends, from a churchgoing family

The family of Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's slaying, lives in a two-story gray house in Washington City, Utah, just across the Virgin River from St. George. A pickup truck and a Dodge Challenger sit in the driveway, which matches the description officials gave of a car seen driving away from the university after the shooting.

Several neighbors and people from the area said Robinson lived at home with his family and they'd seen him there regularly. The neighbors said they had been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, and remembered Tyler from school and church.

Kristin Schwiermann, who has lived two doors down for the last 16 years, said she has known the Robinson family for decades. She said she watched the boys grow up and often crossed paths with the family at church and school events.“He was always very quiet, had just a few friends,” she said of the suspect. “I think he was more on the musical side, very smart.”Schwiermann said she believes social media may have played a role in shaping his views.

“There’s just too much hate out there,” she said. “I know he wasn’t taught those things. I have no hate for him. Even though I loved Charlie Kirk, I’d rather try to understand what was going on in his mind.”

Investigators reviewed messages sent to suspect's roommate

Tyler Robinson's roommate shared messages sent on the platform Discord with investigators, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said in a news conference.

The messages contained several references to a rifle, including that a rifle had been left behind wrapped in a towel in a bush and stating a need to retrieve a rifle. The messages also referenced engravings on bullets and a scope.

Investigators found the rifle wrapped in a dark-colored towel, he said.

Robinson ‘became more political in recent years': Governor

At the dinner table before Charlie Kirk came to Utah Valley University for the event at which he was killed, members of suspect Tyler Robinson’s family had talked in disparaging terms about the conservative activist, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at the news briefing.

“Investigators interviewed a family member of Robinson who stated that Robinson had become more political in recent years,” Cox said.

Also, Cox said, a family member interviewed by authorities referenced a recent incident in which Robinson came to dinner prior to Sept. 10, “and in the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to UVU.”

“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said. “The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”

– Josh Meyer

What was written on the bullet casings found in the rifle?

Authorities said there were messages written on the fired casing and three unfired bullets found in the Mauser rifle allegedly used in the shooting.

The fired casing, according to Utah governor Spencer Cox, read, “Notices, Bulges, OwO What’s This?” The phrase references an internet meme tied to animated videos and furry culture. OwO references an emoticon, and “what’s this?” denotes cuteness or curiosity. It’s frequently referenced by video game streamers.

One of the unfired casings said, according to Cox: “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao.” The lyrics reference the anthem of the antifascist Italian resistance during World War II.

Cox said that another read, “Hey fascist! Catch!”

The third unfired casing, according to Cox, said, “If you’re reading this, you’re gay LMAO.”

-Davis Winkie

Trump will attend Kirk funeral

Trump will attend Kirk's funeral in Phoenix, Arizona, he said on Fox.

On top of a visit to the United Kingdom next week, the president said he will "also go to a funeral for a great gentleman named Charlie Kirk, who should not be having a funeral right now."

– Zachary Schermele

A minister turned in suspect, Trump says

A minister with a friend in law enforcement turned in the suspect in Kirk's killing, the president said. 

"Somebody that was very close to him said that's him," Trump said. "The person that was involved was a person of faith, a minister."

– Zachary Schermele

Trump says he hopes the suspect gets the death penalty

Trump said he hoped the suspect in Kirk’s shooting receives the death penalty.

“I hope he gets the death penalty,” Trump said. “What he did – Charlie Kirk was the finest person.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has called for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty, which is legal in the state. Among the approved methods of execution in Utah is the firing squad.

Trump on lawmakers canceling events: 'It's a dangerous business'

Trump urged lawmakers who have canceled events in the wake of Kirk's assassination to "go forward" while monitoring security risks closely. 

"It's a dangerous business," he said. 

He pointed to the attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year and suggested he could've had better protection.

– Zachary Schermele

Charlie Kirk was a symbol for many young people. Now what?

Maybe they got sucked in when they saw him debating Kamala Harris supporters on TikTok. Maybe something he said about marriage sparked a reaction in them. Maybe his loud-and-proud brand of politics, no matter how controversial, gave them confidence. 

Charlie Kirk, for many in the under-25 crowd, was a symbol. A hallmark of youth political organizing in the internet age. A person they revered or despised. Now, he's gone, fatally shot on a Utah college campus on Sept. 10. 

For many Republicans, he was a culture warrior who could make inroads with young voters. For many Democrats, he was the epitome of Trump’s brand of combative conservatism. Across the political spectrum, young people are left reckoning with what his death means for their generation and grappling with how they feel about it. 

– Rachel Hale 

Watch the video of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect fleeing

US threatens action against foreigners praising Charlie Kirk's death

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau warned that the United States may take action against foreign nationals who glorify Kirk's killing.

"I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," Landau said in a post on social media.

Landau's comments come months after the Trump administration introduced its new visa policy. Foreign nationals visiting or living in the country legally could lose their visa status if they violate the law under the new "catch and revoke" policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in May.

In an email sent to USA TODAY, a state department spokesperson said that "this administration does not believe that the United States should grant visas to persons whose presence in our country does not align with US national security interests."

– Terry Collins

Contributing: Reuters