How was Tyler Robinson apprehended?
Utah governor Spencer Cox announced at a Friday morning press conference that a suspect had been arrested in connection with Kirk’s murder on Wednesday at Utah Valley University and named Robinson. Earlier on Fox & Friends, President Donald Trump announced that a suspect was in custody but did not name him.
“On the evening of September 11, a family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend, who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” Cox said.
Investigators then reviewed surveillance video and identified Robinson arriving on campus at Utah Valley on Wednesday at 8:29 a.m. in a gray Dodge Challenger. A family member confirmed Robinson owned a car of that make and model. Cox said the footage showed Robinson wearing a plain maroon t-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black cap with a white logo, and light-colored shoes. Robinson was wearing clothing matching that description when investigators approached him in the early morning hours on September 12.
Authorities found a rifle wrapped in a dark towel on Thursday in a wooded area on the edge of campus, according to the governor. It was a Mauser bolt-action rifle with a scope mounted on it.
Cox said investigators also interview Robinson’s roommate, who showed them Discord messages he had exchanged.
The messages showed the phone contact “Tyler” stating “a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush, messages related to visually watching the area where a rifle was left, and a message referring to having left the rifle wrapped in a towel,” according to Cox. In the messages “Tyler” also referred to engraving bullets, having a unique rifle with a scope, and changing outfits.
Authorities released this mug shot of Robinson:
MUGSHOT: Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson — BNO News (@bnonews.com) 2025-09-12T14:16:54.383Z
Cox said authorities believe the suspect acted alone.
“Only one person is responsible, and he’s in custody,” Cox said.
Here’s video of Cox’s full remarks: