Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk by shooting him from a distant rooftop while Kirk was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Robinson apparently held a strong personal dislike for Kirk, which he expressed to family members shortly before the shooting, saying he disliked Kirk because he "spread hate." This statement reflects the suspected motive behind the killing, though the FBI has not officially declared an exact motive yet. The shooting sparked a manhunt that ended with Robinson's arrest after his father recognized him in surveillance images and convinced him to surrender. Robinson had become more politically active in recent years and had shown disdain for Kirk's viewpoints in family discussions preceding the shooting.
Details of the Incident
- Robinson fired a single shot from the rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck during the event.
- The rifle used was an older model Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel.
- Robinson arrived on campus several hours before the shooting and changed clothes prior to the attack.
- After the shooting, Robinson fled the scene but was tracked down and arrested within 33 hours.
Motive and Background
- Robinson reportedly said Kirk was "full of hate and spreading hate," indicating ideological reasons behind the attack.
- Robinson had become more politically engaged over time, increasingly critical of Kirk's conservative activism.
- The FBI continues to investigate for a more comprehensive understanding of Robinson's motives.
Arrest and Surrender
- Robinson's father recognized him from surveillance photos and urged him to turn himself in during the manhunt.
- Initially resistant, Robinson was eventually persuaded to surrender with the help of a youth pastor affiliated with law enforcement.
- Authorities charged Robinson with several felonies related to the shooting.
In summary, Tyler Robinson killed Charlie Kirk due to ideological opposition to Kirk's political views, which Robinson expressed as Kirk spreading hate. This ideological conflict seemingly drove the shooting at a university event where Kirk was speaking.
