...
By Jenna Sundel and Joshua Rhett Miller
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Matt Robinson, the father of Tyler Robinson, allegedly assisted in the capture of the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press conference on Friday that Utah resident Tyler Robinson was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump was the first to confirm that a suspect had been placed in custody on Fox and Friends on Friday.
Read More
Liberals Hype Tyler Robinson’s Conservative Roots After MAGA Backlash5 min read
GOP Senator ‘Disgusted’ by Conservatives Declaring ‘War’ After Kirk Killed5 min read
Who Is Tyler Robinson? Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Identified9 min read
Trump said a minister and the suspect's father played key roles in persuading him to surrender. He said the father drove the man to police headquarters.
Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was 31.
What To Know
Matt Robinson is a registered Republican, according to public records reviewed by Newsweek. Early reports indicated that he was a veteran of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, but the Washington County Attorney's office said that reporting was not accurate and that Robinson does not have ties to local law enforcement.
"The individual arrested is NOT related to Washington County law enforcement! There are multiple people with the same names," the attorney's office said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that a family member of Tyler Robinson contacted a family friend on Thursday, who then informed the Washington County Sheriff's Office of information indicating that Tyler had either confessed to or implied involvement in the incident.
Cox said Tyler was not a student at Utah Valley University.
...
A family member of Tyler was interviewed by investigators, Cox said. The family member said Tyler had become more political in recent years and mentioned that Kirk was coming to Utah Valley University to another family member at a dinner.
The family member said Tyler said he did not like Kirk and the viewpoints he held, according to the governor.
Tyler Robinson allegedly fled the scene of the shooting on Wednesday, prompting officials to launch a multi-day search. The FBI had offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
Kirk leaves behind a wife and two children. Trump said he has spoken to Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk.
"She's devastated, but in between the devastation, they want to keep Turning Point going," Trump told reporters on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
FBI Director Kash Patel, at a press conference on Friday: "The FBI and our partners are proud to stand here today together to bring justice to the family of Charlie Kirk and honor his memory."
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, at a press conference on Friday: "It is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals. This cuts to the very foundation of who we are, of who we have been and who we could be in better times."
What Happens Next
Cox said Tyler Robinson "will be charged soon and will be held accountable" and that the suspect was booked into the Utah County Jail. He is believed to have acted alone, and officials have no information that would lead to any additional arrests.
The investigation is ongoing.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Update 9/12/25, 2:02 p.m. ET: This article was updated to reflect that Matt Robinson was not a veteran of local law enforcement.
Update 9/12/25, 11:29 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines