OREM (United States): US authorities on Friday announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and close ally of former president Donald Trump, earlier this week.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody in St George, Utah, around 250 miles from Orem, where the shooting occurred on Wednesday. Officials said Robinson’s family assisted in turning him in after he allegedly hinted at his involvement.
Kirk, 31, who co-founded the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was delivering a speech at Utah Valley University when he was struck by a bullet fired from a high-powered bolt-action rifle. Authorities said the shooter fired from a rooftop about 200 yards away, adopting a prone position to maximise accuracy.
Law enforcement officials said inscriptions found on bullet casings at the scene included the phrases “Hey, fascist! Catch!” and “Bella ciao”—a reference to an Italian anti-fascist anthem—along with symbols linked to online gaming culture. Investigators said they have not yet determined a motive, and confirmed the suspect had no connection to the university.
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Kirk’s death has sparked a wave of political reaction. Trump, who initially blamed “the radical left” for the killing, later described Kirk as an advocate of nonviolence and announced that he would posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour. He also pledged to attend the funeral.
Kirk’s coffin was flown to his hometown of Phoenix aboard Vice President JD Vance’s official aircraft on Thursday.
