Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, threatened to kill himself rather than surrender after his father confronted him, law enforcement sources said.
Robinson’s father recognised him in photos released by authorities Thursday and questioned him when he returned home. According to sources, Robinson admitted to being the gunman but initially refused to turn himself in.
He told his father he would rather die than face arrest. His father then persuaded him to meet with their youth minister, who also serves as a US marshals service fugitive task force officer. The minister contacted a deputy, and Robinson was taken into FBI custody, reported The New York Post.
Suspect’s hostility toward Kirk’s views
Family members told investigators Robinson had spoken negatively of Kirk in recent weeks. At a family dinner, he allegedly brought up the activist’s planned appearance at UVU and criticised his views.
Utah governer Spencer Cox said Robinson had become more political and increasingly hostile toward conservative figures in recent years.
US President Donald Trump announced the arrest Friday during a Fox News interview, calling it a “significant breakthrough” in what he described as a “political assassination.”
“With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said, noting that someone close to Robinson helped identify him and turn him in.
Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot once while addressing students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was rushed to a hospital and later died. The FBI and state officials said the attack was targeted, raising new concerns about political violence.
Authorities said campus surveillance footage, distinctive bullet casings, and digital evidence pointed to Robinson as the suspect. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, and investigators believe he acted alone.
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