Father’s advice, pastor’s call, handwritten note: How Tyler Robinson was caught in Charlie Kirk shooting after 33-hour manhunt

How Tyler Robinson was arrested

The prime suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was arrested after confessing his actions to his father, who ultimately turned him in to authorities. Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody at 10 pm (local time) on Thursday following a 33-hour manhunt.

“We got him,” the Utah Governor Spencer Cox told reporters.

In a shocking escalation of recent attacks on US political figures, Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA and prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck during a debate at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

"On the evening of 11 September, 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,” Spencer Cox further added.

Authorities believe Robinson fired a single shot from a high-powered rifle from an elevated position roughly 200 yards away, striking Kirk while he addressed the crowd.

Father convinced him 

According to the Associated Press, Robinson was identified after his father recognized him in images released by law enforcement. Initially refusing to turn himself in, Robinson later surrendered with the help of a youth pastor who assisted his father in convincing him to cooperate. He was taken into custody in St. George, Utah, on Friday.

The youth pastor ultimately contacted the local County Sheriff’s Office after Robinson’s father reached out for help. According to CNN, the father called the pastor, who then informed the U.S. Marshals, leading to Robinson’s arrest. Authorities noted that criminal charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday.

Additional evidence came from Robinson’s roommate, who claimed Robinson admitted to hiding a rifle wrapped in a towel in a bush. TMZ reported that Discord confirmed the messages did not occur on its platform but were part of a handwritten note left by Robinson for his roommate. His Discord account has since been removed.

President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, said Robinson’s father provided further information through a minister connected to law enforcement. “I hope he’s found guilty and gets the death penalty. Charlie Kirk was the finest person and didn’t deserve this,” Trump said.

According to Reuters, Robinson has no prior criminal record, no known political affiliations, and has not voted in recent elections.