FBI Reveal How They Captured Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect as They Disclose Who Tipped Them Off
Two days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the FBI announced the arrest of Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, in connection with the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. The capture ends an intense 48-hour search that had gripped the nation, while also shedding light on how the suspect’s own family helped bring him into custody.
The Tip That Broke the Case
“The tipster shared information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident,” Cox told reporters.
The tip was enough to focus the FBI’s sprawling investigation, which had involved analyzing hours of surveillance footage, combing through forensic evidence from the scene, and following up on hundreds of calls from the public.
Family members also provided key background. One relative told investigators that Robinson had grown “more political” in recent years, expressing strong resentment toward Charlie Kirk and his views. At a recent family dinner, Robinson allegedly mentioned that Kirk would be speaking at Utah Valley University — a detail that, in hindsight, seemed chilling.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had,” Cox said, recounting the relative’s testimony.
Surveillance Footage and the Dodge Challenger
While the family’s tip gave investigators direction, surveillance footage provided the hard evidence to corroborate their suspicions.
The suspect was seen wearing:
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A plain maroon T-shirt
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Light-colored shorts
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A black hat with a white logo
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Light-colored shoes
The Moment of Arrest
The FBI and local law enforcement moved swiftly once Robinson was identified. Agents tracked his movements, ensuring they had enough evidence to confront him without risking escape or violent resistance.
On the morning of September 12, Robinson was arrested without incident. Authorities confirmed that he was cooperative, though they declined to release details of his statements pending further investigation.
“I want to thank the FBI, our state agencies, and especially the public for helping us solve this case so quickly. And I especially want to thank the family members of Robinson who did the right thing by coming forward.”
