How Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin Was Caught

Authorities announced Friday they had arrested a suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk after a 33-hour investigation that revealed a detailed timeline of the federal response.

Kirk was shot at 12:23 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, and FBI personnel arrived on Utah Valley University’s campus 16 minutes later, Director Kash Patel said at a morning press briefing. Patel added that “fixed-wing assets” were immediately deployed to transfer personnel, specialty technicians and evidence between Utah and the East Coast for analysis. (RELATED: Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin Revealed)

Patel said investigators reviewed footage showing a gray Dodge Challenger arriving at the campus at 8:29 a.m. Wednesday.

At 4:21 p.m., the FBI director announced that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.” Less than two hours later, at 5:59 p.m., Patel retracted the statement, saying the person questioned had been released after interrogation.

By Thursday, officials said investigators had tracked the shooter’s movements onto campus, onto and off the roof, and into a nearby neighborhood that was later searched.

FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls, who leads the Salt Lake City field office, said investigators recovered what they believe was the weapon — a high-powered bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark towel — in a wooded area where the shooter fled.

OREM, UTAH – SEPTEMBER 12: Authorities walk the crime scene at Utah Valley University where political activist Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at the campus on September 12, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Bohls said investigators also collected footwear impressions, a palm print and forearm imprints, which were being analyzed alongside the firearm.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, the FBI’s Salt Lake City office released photos of a “person of interest” wearing dark clothing, sunglasses and a baseball cap. Less than an hour later, the bureau announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
1-800-CALL-FBI
Digital media tips: https://t.co/K7maX81TjJ pic.twitter.com/ALuVkTXuDc

— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025

By 5:30 p.m., Patel and FBI Assistant Director Dan Bongino had arrived at the scene, Patel said.

At 8 p.m., Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox held a briefing where officials released new photos and video of the suspect.

By 10 p.m., 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was in custody in Washington County, Cox said.

That evening, Robinson’s father contacted a family friend — identified by ABC News as both a youth pastor and a U.S. Marshals task force officer — to say his son had either confessed or implied responsibility for the shooting. The friend alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which relayed the information to Utah County authorities, university investigators and the FBI, according to Cox. (RELATED: Student Who Debated Charlie Kirk Moments Before Assassination Speaks Out)

Cox said investigators interviewed Robinson’s relatives, who told them he had “become more political in recent years.”

A TV monitor displays a picture of Tyler Robinson, the suspected of killing Charlie Kirk on September 11, in Orem, Utah, on September 12, 2025. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

A relative told investigators Robinson owned a car matching the description of the vehicle tied to the shooter and had spoken about Kirk’s visit to the university beforehand, Cox said. The relative added that Robinson expressed dislike for Kirk and his views, saying he was “full of hate,” according to Cox.

Investigators also obtained Discord messages from Robinson’s roommate. The messages, sent by a contact listed as “Tyler,” discussed retrieving a rifle from a drop point on campus and referenced the gun’s scope, bullet casings and the shooter’s clothing.

On Friday morning, President Donald Trump said on “Fox & Friends” that “with a high degree of certainty” the suspect in Kirk’s murder had been captured.

Soon after, Cox opened a press conference declaring, “We got him.” He cautioned, however, that investigators still had work to do. Utah law enforcement has three days to file processing documents ahead of a preliminary hearing, he said.

Patel echoed that message, calling it “very much an ongoing investigation” and noting that agents were still processing evidence in coordination with state and local authorities.

“In 33 hours, we have made historic progress for Charlie,” Patel said.

Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith noted the toll the investigation had taken on officers and investigators, and how little they had slept.

“I would like to thank the public that turned to prayers and positivity for us,” Smith said. “We needed those prayers, that’s what we needed to get through this. We needed your support, and you gave it to us. We needed your patience, and you gave it to us.”