The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, a Utah native who had been living with his parents for a long time, authorities said.
Mr. Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September after a family member recognised him in surveillance images, a development investigators described as pivotal in ending a nationwide manhunt.
That family member was apparently Mr. Robinson's father, who encouraged him to turn himself in, the BBC's US partner CBS News has reported, citing two law enforcement sources. The father then reportedly reached out to a family friend who contacted the sheriff's office.
At a press briefing on Friday announcing the arrest, FBI officials declined to discuss Mr. Robinson's background, political leanings, or possible motive, saying the investigation was ongoing.
We are confident we have the right individual in custody, an FBI spokesperson said, but we are still working to establish the full picture of who he is and why he acted.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated a family member interviewed by investigators indicated Mr. Robinson had become more political in recent years.
The relative also mentioned that during a dinner conversation before the attack, Mr. Robinson characterized Kirk as full of hate and spreading hate and discussed Kirk's upcoming event at Utah Valley University.
Public records reviewed by the BBC suggest Mr. Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. His parents, Matthew Carl Robinson and Amber Denise Robinson, are registered Republicans, according to state records.
Mr. Robinson was not enrolled at UVU, the site of the shooting, but had previously attended Utah State University for a single semester in 2021. Investigators note that he appeared to be steeped in online culture, with inscriptions on shell casings related to the case showing potential associations with online trolling and anti-fascist sentiment.
Currently, Mr. Robinson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges, with inquiries into his motives and potential affiliations ongoing.
