Background

• October 14, 1993 — Charlie James Kirk is born in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
• 2012 — Co-founds Turning Point USA.
• 2018 — Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy.
• 2019 — Receives honorary degree from Liberty University.
• 2021 (May) — Marries Erika Frantzve (Miss Arizona USA 2012).
• 2022 (August) — First child, a daughter, is born.
• 2024 (May) — Second child, a son, is born.

Pre-Incident Indicators

• In recent years, Tyler Robinson had become noticeably more political.
• At a family dinner prior to the shooting, he talked about Charlie Kirk’s planned visit to Utah Valley University. He expressed hostility, saying he disliked Kirk’s viewpoints and believed he was “spreading hate.”

September 10, 2025 — Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah

• 8:29 a.m. MDT – Tyler Robinson arrives on campus in a gray Dodge Challenger.
• Clothing matches surveillance stills released later by police.
• 12:00 p.m. – American Comeback Tour event begins in the UVU Fountain Courtyard.
• Charlie Kirk takes the stage under the “Prove Me Wrong” tent. Crowd size: ~3,000.
• 12:05–12:20 p.m. – Audience Q&A.
• Kirk fields questions, including one about mass shootings. Atmosphere is energetic but orderly.
• 12:20:00 p.m. – Kirk begins answering a student’s question about shootings and political violence.
• 12:22:30 p.m. – Attendees report a lull just before the shot; Kirk continues speaking on stage.
• 12:23:00 p.m. – Single rifle shot fired.
• Kirk struck in the neck, collapses.
• Crowd screams; panic begins.
• 12:23:05 p.m. – Multiple audience members duck for cover; several rush the stage.
• 12:23:20 p.m. – Kirk is lifted and carried by staff and attendees away from the podium.
• 12:23:30 p.m. – Video captures a figure running across the roof of the Losee Center, ~400 feet from the stage. Authorities later state they cannot yet confirm this was Robinson.
• 12:24:00 p.m. – Officers on scene begin securing the courtyard; initial calls for EMS.
• 12:25:00 p.m. – Robinson flees rooftop. Later FBI assessment: he jumped off the building and escaped toward a residential neighborhood north of campus.
• 12:26:00 p.m. – Early witness reports describe “a man in black tactical clothing.”
• 12:27:00 p.m. – Dispatch audio:
• “Person on roof of building carrying long rifle.”
• Later call adds “wearing black tactical gear, helmet.”
• 12:28:30 p.m. – UVU security staff initiate internal lockdown.
• 12:29:00 p.m. – Police perimeter expands around Losee Center and nearby streets.
• 12:30:00 p.m. – Miscommunication on radio: “shots near library” reported (later corrected).
• 12:35–12:36 p.m. – Officers confirm shooter likely fled from rooftop into nearby neighborhood. Statement later confirmed by Beau Mason, Utah Department of Public Safety.
• 12:37 p.m. – UVU issues official lockdown/emergency alert. Campus fully secured.
• 12:40–1:00 p.m. – Kirk transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in critical condition.
• 1:00–2:20 p.m. – Surgeons attempt lifesaving measures; media reports state Kirk is “critical.”
• 2:20 p.m. MDT – Early reports incorrectly circulate that Kirk was “killed at 2:20.” In reality, he had been shot at 12:23 and remained hospitalized.
• 2:27 p.m. MDT – Additional dispatch audio reaffirms a “suspect in tactical gear with rifle on rooftop.”
• 2:37 p.m. MDT – Video shows officers searching ~0.25 miles north of campus. Metadata confirms timestamp.
• 2:40 p.m. MDT – Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that Kirk has died.
• 4:21 PM – FBI Director Kash Patel Announced the arrest Source
• 5:59 PM – FBI Director Kash Patel The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Source

Robinson’s Background and Motive Indicators

• Became increasingly political in recent years.
• At a family dinner, he discussed Kirk’s visit to UVU, saying Kirk was “spreading hate.”
• Expressed hostility toward Kirk’s viewpoints.

Digital Evidence

• Discord messages reveal:
• Retrieval of rifle from a “drop point.”
• Rifle wrapped in a towel.
• Talk of engraving bullets with slogans.
• Scope and rifle described as unique.
• Messages to roommate instruct him to retrieve the rifle.

Witness and Family Reports

• Family confirms Robinson had grown more political and hostile toward Kirk.
• A family member reached out to a family friend after Robinson confessed.
• The family friend notified the sheriff’s department, initiating law enforcement response.

Investigation and Arrest

September 11, 2025: 

• 9:58 AM FBI released new images and asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk Source
• 10:56 AM FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk Source
• 6:17 PM FBI released additional photos of a person of interest Source
• 7:00 PM: FBI releases rooftop escape footage and surveillance stills. Public tipline activated. Engraved bullet casings confirmed (“Hey fascist, catch!”, “Bella Ciao”).  Transcript / Visit Video Source |  Source
• 9:00 PM: A family member reached out to a family friend after Robinson confessed. The family friend notified the sheriff’s department, initiating law enforcement response.

September 12, 2025

• FBI Announced the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, n Washington County, Utah, after being turned in by someone close.
• Evidence seized: rifle, ammunition, rooftop forensics, Discord logs.

Key Physical Evidence

• Weapon: .30-06 bolt-action rifle.
• Casings: Engraved with political slogans.
• Forensics: Shoe impressions and palm/forearm prints on rooftop.
• Surveillance: Vehicle arrival, rooftop escape, and neighborhood flight.
• Digital: Discord communications about rifle and bullet engraving.

Discord:

• Discord messages reviewed by investigators indicated that the shooting suspect engraved writings on bullets he used and that the rifle and scope he used were “unique,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at a news conference this morning.

Weapon:

• Officials found a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark towel yesterday in a wooded area on the edge of Utah Valley University. Cox said it was a Mauser model 98 bolt-action rifle. It had a scope mounted on it.
• There were inscriptions on casings found within the rifle, Cox said. The inscription on the fired casing said: “notices, bulges, OWO, what’s this?”
• Three unfired casings also had inscriptions
• One read, “Hey fascist! Catch!” with an up arrow, a right arrow and three down arrows.
• The second said, “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao.”
• The third, “If you read this, you are gay LMAO.”

September 12, 2025

• Afternoon: Forensic agents search Robinson’s apartment complex in St. George, Utah, where he lived with his romantic partner.
• Agents photographed, collected, and documented evidence at the residence as part of the federal investigation. Source

September 13, 2025

• FBI Director Kash Patel on x.com: Robinson’s father, who ultimately turned him in to authorities, told law enforcement that he recognized his son in that released video. Source

September 14, 2025 Kash Patel – FBI Confirmation of Robinson’s Relationship

• FBI officials confirmed that Tyler Robinson, 22, was in a romantic relationship with an unnamed person who is a male transitioning to female.
• Robinson and the individual shared an apartment in St. George, Utah.
• The partner has been described as “extremely cooperative” with the FBI’s investigation.
• Agents emphasized that the partner had no knowledge of Robinson’s alleged plan to assassinate Charlie Kirk.
• The partner is not accused of any criminal activity in connection with the attack.
• Kash Patel posted about the development on X (Twitter), amplifying the FBI confirmation and noting that the partner is working closely with investigators. Source | Source

September 15, 2025

• FBI Director Kash Patel confirms DNA from the towel wrapped around the suspected assassination weapon — and from a screwdriver left on the UVU rooftop both match the suspect already in custody. Source

“I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA from the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,”

• Suspect Exchanged Text Messages with another individual about “take out” Charlie Kirk. 

“He had a text message exchange, he, the suspect with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for,”

“Those are factually accurate investigatory findings by the FBI that we have handed over to the local authorities and the federal authorities to make their prosecutorial decisions.”

• A note found in the home of Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin partner home.  Source

“That note was written before the shooting. Evidence of its existence, we now have learned, existed before the shooting, was in the location, in the suspect and partner’s home.”

“We have since learned that the note, even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note, and we have confirmed what that note says because of our aggressive interview posture at the FBI.”

• Suspect not cooperating with Authorities  Source
• According to the FBI Director Kash Patel Tyler Robinson allegedly wrote in a text Source

that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and would do it, saying “some hatred cannot be negotiated with,”

• On September 15, 2025, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit obtained a search warrant for George Zinn’s phone, finding over 20 CSAM images and graphic text exchanges. Zinn admitted he gained sexual gratification from sharing such material and that his preferred victim age was 5 to 12 years old.  Source

September 16, 2025

• Authorities announced charges against George Zinn  Source
• 21D Felony Obstruction of Justice
• 21D Felony Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (4 counts)
• No evidence links Zinn to collusion with the UVU shooter.
• CSAM investigation remains ongoing.
• 2:00 PM EST: Authorities announced charges against Tyler Robinson:  Source
• Count 1: Aggravated murder, capital offense for causing the death of Kirk
• Count 2: Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, first degree felony
• Aggravating factors on counts 1 and 2 for targeting Charlie Kirk for his political expressions and knowing there would be witnesses.
• Count 3: Obstruction of justice for moving and concealing evidence
• Count 4: Obstruction of justice, second degree felony, for disposing of clothing
• Count 5: Witness tampering, third degree felony, for directing his roommate to delete incriminating texts
• Count 6: Witness tampering for directing his roommate to remain silent
• Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child, misdemeanor, for committing homicide in front of children
• The hearing for Tyler Robinson on Tuesday, 9/16 at 3 p.m. will be held virtually. Robinson will not be in court in person. Source

September 23, 2025

• In Person Appearance Filed – rescheduled for September 29, 2025
• The reason for the change is Court Ordered The court modifies this hearing to be conducted in-person in courtroom 4B.

The FBI is releasing a video of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting. Around 12 p.m. Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university. Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.

Transcript / Visit Video Source

Timeline from Affidavit of Probable Cause

September 10, 2025 – UVU Shooting Day

Morning Arrival

• 08:29 AM – Surveillance footage shows Tyler Robinson arriving at Utah Valley University (UVU) in a gray Dodge Challenger.
• Clothing: maroon t-shirt, light colored shorts, black hat with white logo, light colored shoes.
• This matches descriptions later confirmed by family members and investigators.

Surveillance Movements Prior to Shooting

• 11:50 AM – UVU surveillance captures Robinson walking across a grassy area north of Campus Drive near 800 West.
• 11:57 AM–12:00 PM – Robinson approaches a pedestrian tunnel near Campus Drive.
• Before entering, he pauses at the top of stairs and pulls cellphone from right pocket using left hand.
• Appears to type or scroll before pocketing phone.
• 12:02 PM – Surveillance captures Robinson walking along the north side of the Losee Center building, wearing the same outfit.
• 12:15 PM – Robinson climbs a set of stairs, walking toward rooftop access of the Losee Center.
• Reaches a common area near the roof, then moves onto the rooftop.
• 12:17 PM – Robinson crouches down on the north side wall of rooftop.
• Absent from camera view briefly, then reappears running across rooftop.
• 12:20 PM – Robinson lies down in a prone shooting position near rooftop’s eastern edge, directly overlooking the courtyard where Charlie Kirk is speaking.
• Position is concealed but facing toward the event canopy.

The Shooting

• 12:23 PM Charlie Kirk, seated under a canopy, speaking into a microphone, is struck in the neck by a rifle shot.
• Blood observed; Kirk collapses leftward.
• He is later transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he is pronounced deceased.

Escape from Rooftop

• 12:23–12:24 PM – Surveillance shows Robinson:
• Standing suddenly from prone position after firing.
• Running north across rooftop.
• Approaching northeast corner of the building.
• Lowering himself over rooftop edge.
• Dropping into grassy area below.
• 12:24 PM – Robinson runs north toward Campus Drive Road, appearing to carry an item.
• After this, his movements are lost on surveillance.

Weapon Recovery

• Later that day – Investigators search near Campus Drive Road (where Robinson was last seen).
• Locate a Mauser Model 98, .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle wrapped in a red colored towel.
• Rifle fitted with scope, engraved casings nearby:
• Casing 1: “Hey fascists! CATCH! (arrow symbols)”
• Casing 2: “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!”
• Casing 3: “If you read This, you are GAY lmao”

Additional Evidence from Scene

• Shoe impression found on northeast corner rooftop of Losee Center.
• Matches characteristics of Converse/Chuck Taylor shoe, consistent with Robinson’s shoes.

Arrest of George Zinn

• During a shooting at UVU, George Zinn yelled that he had shot Charlie Kirk.  Source
• UVU Police detained him; he was uncooperative and later transported to a hospital for a medical issue.
• At the hospital, Zinn admitted he was not the shooter but claimed responsibility to hinder law enforcement and help the real suspect escape.
• FBI and Utah SBI agents interviewed him. He allowed them to view his phone, where they saw images of prepubescent girls. Zinn admitted to viewing and sharing CSAM.

September 11, 2025 – Family Reports

• A family member of Robinson contacts Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
• States Robinson made comments implying he was responsible for the shooting.
• References past radicalization and resentment toward Charlie Kirk.
• Notes Robinson previously mentioned Kirk’s UVU event days earlier.
• Family confirms Robinson drove gray Dodge Challenger (matching UVU footage).

September 12, 2025 – Arrest & Digital Evidence

• 4:00 AM – Robinson arrested at his residence in Washington, Utah.

Roommate’s Evidence

• Investigators interview Robinson’s roommate:
• Reports Robinson showed him Discord messages regarding the shooting.
• Messages referenced:
• Retrieving rifle from drop point.
• Leaving rifle in a bush wrapped in towel.
• Engraving bullets and adding scope.
• Robinson stating he had changed outfits.
• Screenshots recovered showing conversations from account labeled “Tyler” (with emoji icon).

Summary of Affidavit Findings

• Surveillance evidence ties Robinson’s movements directly to rooftop positioning, shooting, and escape.
• Weapon evidence (rifle + engraved casings) recovered near his escape route.
• Physical evidence (shoe impression) links him to rooftop.
• Family & roommate testimony support premeditation, motive, and self-incrimination.
• Digital evidence (Discord) corroborates planning, weapon handling, and concealment steps.

Records: Charges against Tyler Robinson