Introduction to the Case
The “squeaky clean” “considerate” kid who grew up in a family that celebrated his academic wins and time together in their suburban Utah community is now accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Tyler Robinson’s arrest Friday after a days-long manhunt shocked his community and family.
The Accused and His Background
His grandmother, Debbie Robinson, who spoke with NBC News before her grandson’s name was made public, said she talks to her family every day and was not aware that her 22-year-old grandson, who she described as “squeaky clean,” had attended the event at Utah Valley University where Kirk was killed.
Robinson, an electrical apprentice, had developed a recent interest in politics, officials said. People in his community near St. George in conservative Southern Utah said that wasn’t typical of his family.
Community Reaction
A family friend who asked not to be named described Robinson’s family as not especially political or religious and said they are “good, down-to-earth, nice people.” They are outdoorsy and like to hunt and ride around on ATVs, the friend said.
“I’m stunned,” another family friend said. “These are really nice people.”
One neighbor, Kristin Schwiermann, described working as a custodian at Robinson’s elementary school and said she knew him and his family from church. Schwiermann, 66, said he was “very considerate,” “quiet” and “respectful.”
“He was a good kid,” she said.
Arrest and Charges
Robinson was arrested after a family friend reached out to a sheriff’s office Thursday night and said he had confessed or implied that he was responsible for killing the conservative activist Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters.
“We got him,” Cox said.
Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice, a probable cause affidavit shows. He is expected to be charged Tuesday.
Investigation Details
Cox said Friday that a relative told investigators that at a recent dinner, Robinson mentioned Kirk’s upcoming campus event, which was part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback” tour.
“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints he had,” the governor said.
Robinson’s evolution from standout student to the subject of an FBI manhunt is not clear.
NBC News’ searches of state and national public records associated with Robinson’s name and date of birth found no indication of a prior criminal record. A public safety assessment report shows that Robinson had no felony or misdemeanor convictions and no prior violent offenses.
Personal Life and Education
Public records indicate that Robinson’s last voter registration date was July 13, 2021, and his political party is none declared.
He was a pre-engineering major at Utah State University for one semester in 2021 and took related classes during the brief period he attended, according to university spokeswoman Amanda DeRito. Robinson then took a leave of absence.
At the time of the shooting, he was a third-year student in Dixie Technical College’s electrical apprenticeship program, the Utah Board of Higher Education said.
His family wasn’t shy about shouting out his scholastic achievements on social media.
On Aug. 15, 2020, the first day of Robinson’s senior year of high school, his mother posted a pair of photos — one that showed her son beaming and another in which he’s wearing a black surgical-style mask.
“Senior year is going to be busy for this boy!” she wrote on Facebook. “4college classes this semester on top of 4 high school classes, including AP calculus! My brain hurts for him, but he’s so excited!”
The family also shared moments together on vacation and sometimes with guns. Photos posted on his parents’ social media accounts show the family traveling in Mexico, eating meals together and posing for Halloween photos.
Political Assassination
Cox, the governor, described the fatal shooting of Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and an influential conservative activist, as a “political assassination.”
On Friday he described inscriptions found on bullet casings that were with a high-powered, bolt-action rifle discovered near campus. Authorities believe the weapon, a Mauser 98 .30-06 with a mounted scope, belonged to Robinson.
The inscriptions reference fascism, obscure internet memes and video games.
Conclusion
The case of Tyler Robinson and the murder of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through the community, with many struggling to understand how a "squeaky clean" and "considerate" kid could be accused of such a heinous crime. As the investigation continues, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the motivations and circumstances surrounding the event.
FAQs
- Who is Tyler Robinson?
Tyler Robinson is a 22-year-old electrical apprentice who has been accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk. - What were the circumstances of Charlie Kirk’s death?
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University during an event that was part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback” tour. - What is known about Tyler Robinson’s background?
Tyler Robinson comes from a suburban Utah community and was described by his family and neighbors as "squeaky clean" and "considerate." He had developed a recent interest in politics and was a third-year student in Dixie Technical College’s electrical apprenticeship program. - What charges is Tyler Robinson facing?
Tyler Robinson is facing charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. - What has been said about the motivations behind the killing?
The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has described the fatal shooting as a "political assassination," and inscriptions found on bullet casings reference fascism, obscure internet memes, and video games.
