US authorities on Friday revealed fresh details about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, pointing to the suspect’s hostility toward the Trump ally as a possible motive.
Investigators said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was arrested after a wide manhunt, had expressed disdain for Kirk just a day before the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University.
According to authorities, Robinson told his family that he disliked Kirk because he believed the activist “spread hate.”
While the FBI has yet to confirm a definitive motive, the remarks shed light on Robinson’s state of mind ahead of the attack.
Charlie Kirk Assassination: Main Suspect Arrested
FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson was taken into custody at 10 pm on Thursday, roughly 33 hours after the fatal shooting.
Investigators said Robinson fired a single shot from a rooftop some distance away before escaping, triggering a massive manhunt that concluded with his arrest on Thursday night.
Bullet Casing Messages
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that authorities recovered a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel, adding that bullet casings left at the scene were inscribed with phrases such as “Bella ciao,” “Hey fascists,” and “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”
Charlie Kirk Assassination
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. The shooting, which happened in broad daylight, was captured on video. The footage shows Kirk taking questions on gun violence when a single gunshot rings out. He clutches his neck as blood flows before collapsing.
Police believe the shot came from the roof of a nearby building, fired with a Mauser 30-06 bolt-action rifle. The weapon was later found in nearby woods, along with palm prints suspected to belong to the shooter.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), one of the leading conservative student organizations in the United States, and was pivotal in mobilizing young voters in support of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential elections.
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