Utah shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk: Suspect encountered by police during return to crime scene
Prosecutors say Tyler James Robinson discussed retrieving a rifle in text messages and later surrendered to authorities; the case could involve the death penalty.
A 22-year-old man, Tyler James Robinson, is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10, 2025 shooting of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities say Robinson briefly came into contact with a police officer near the crime scene around 6:30 p.m. as investigators recovered the Mauser .30-06 rifle wrapped in a towel in the woods at the edge of the campus, an encounter that appears to have thwarted an attempt to retrieve the weapon.
Kirk was struck by a sniper’s bullet while speaking to a UVU audience, and the campus was placed on lockdown as investigators canvassed the area and secured the perimeter. The investigation continued through the night as officers collected evidence and tracked leads related to the weapon, a rifle prosecutors allege was used in the attack.
Prosecutors released excerpts from text messages between Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs, showing he discussed retrieving a rifle and returning home from Orem. In the messages, Robinson indicated interest in recovering the rifle from a drop point, and investigators later found a note at a keyboard drop site that suggested he believed he had the opportunity to harm Kirk. Twiggs has cooperated with investigators. Other messages described Robinson’s concern about lockdowns and the difficulty of leaving the area while authorities swept the town.
Robinson surrendered to authorities in his hometown in southern Utah 33 hours after the slaying, after his parents and a family friend urged him to turn himself in rather than harm himself, according to authorities. He faces charges including aggravated murder, and prosecutors have indicated they are considering a potential death penalty case given the circumstances and the nature of the crime.
Authorities say the case remains active as investigators piece together a timeline of events on and around the UVU campus, including how the weapon was obtained, how the suspect traveled to the area, and how the investigation led to his surrender. The shooting occurred during a Turning Point USA event at UVU sponsored by the campus chapter.
Robinson appeared virtually in a Utah court on Sept. 16, 2025, to face the charges, with prosecutors outlining the alleged planning involved and the potential for capital punishment if the case proceeds to trial. The ongoing investigation continues to scrutinize how a campus event could become the scene of a fatal crime and what prompted the rapid lockdown and subsequent manhunt.
