Authorities are trying to learn more about the motivation for Charlie Kirk’s deadly shooting at a university in Utah as families of conservative activists plan to celebrate next week. His life and legacy.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, Washington, Utah; Arrested On aggravated murder and other felony crimes. Prosecutors are creating a formal charge that could make him appear in the first court earlier next week.
Investigators spoke with Robinson’s relatives and conducted a search warrant at a family home in Washington about 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of Utah Valley University, where the shooting took place.
Here’s what you need to know about murder:
What do you know about motivation?
Authorities have not provided many details as to why they believe Robinson had committed an attack on Kirk.
“There was clearly a left-wing ideology,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told NBC’s Match the Media. They spoke to authorities about dinner table conversations, mentioning Kirk’s visit to Utah Valley University, and debating whether activists were spreading hatred.
Charlie Kirk speaks Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 before being shot during a visit to Turning Point.
Cox said Robinson “doesn’t cooperate” and that his friend was painting someone radically on the dark corner of the internet. However, Cox highlighted in some Sunday morning news that investigators are still trying to identify the motives for attacks on President Donald Trump’s father and best friend.
State records show that Robinson is registered to the ballot, but is not affiliated with political parties and is listed as inactive. In other words, they didn’t vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
The ammunition found in the weapon used to kill Kirk was engraved with messages of provocation, anti-fascist and memetic culture. One bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” Cox said.
What do you know about Robinson?
He grew up around St. George, on the southwest corner of Utah, between Las Vegas and the natural landmarks such as Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Robinson has become a member Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christsaid Doug Andersen, a church spokesman who was a young man, widely known as the Mormon Church.
According to a social media post, Robinson has two younger brothers, and his parents have been married for about 25 years. Online activities by Robinson’s mother reflected active families on vacation, going to Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska.
Like many people in Utah, they often spent their time outdoors – boating, fishing, ATV riding, ziplining, target shooting. A 2017 post shows the family visiting a military facility and posing with an assault rifle. Young Robinson is seen smiling as he grabs the handle of a .50 caliber heavy machine gun.
According to a video reading his acceptance letter posted to the family’s social media accounts, he was an honorary role student at a high school who scored nationally nationally on standardized tests and was recognized by Utah State in 2021.
However, according to a university spokesman, he attended only one semester. He is currently registered as a third-year student in the Electric Apprentice Program at Dixie Technical College in St. George.
Robinson’s partner is transgender, Cox said. Some politicians point it out as a sign that Robinson is targeting Kirk in his anti-trans view, but authorities have not stated whether it is relevant when investigating Robinson’s motivations. Cox said the partner was “incredibly supportive” and “didn’t know this was happening.”
What was the radioactive fallout from the assassination?
It prompted a greater civility in the country’s political discourse, especially on social media. But many people comment on Kirk and the shooting It had results. Many workers have been fired for comments about Kirk’s death. Matthew Dowdlost his job shortly after an on-air comment about Kirk.
It’s not the first time people have lost their jobs for what they say publicly, The speed of the firing was questionable. About workers’ rights and employer’s rights.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s education board member warned state teachers that by making a “bad” statement about Kirk’s assassination, they could inflict sanctions such as suspension or revocation of their education licenses.
The conservative internet character embedded in Chicago’s immigration agents filmed the video outside of Illinois Governor JB Pretzker’s private property, where he urged viewers to “take action” after Kirk’s assassination. Pretzker’s office said his safety has increased recently.
Partisans have been fighting over who will blame Kirk for his death, but experts Political violence Many of those who committed such crimes appear to be acting on beliefs that are not clearly mapped to partisan lines. They say the broader political environment is more important. The more the atmosphere intensifies, the more likely it is to lead unstable people to commit acts of violence.
Arizona memorial
Kirk’s conservative organization, Turning Point USA, will hold a memorial on September 21st at State Farm Stadium, in the suburbs of Phoenix, played by the Arizona Cardinals.
Kirk’s cas arrived in Air Force 2 in his hometown of state on Thursday, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance.
His widow, Erica Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and radio and podcast shows.
“For everyone who hears in America tonight, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said in a live streamed video on Friday. “Not so. I refuse to let it happen.”
On Sunday, Kirk was memorialized at Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he hosted one of his “Night of American Freedom” gatherings. Participants watched clips of conservative activists and discussed his desire to be “remembered for the courage of my faith.” Church pastor Angel Barnett called on the crowd to honor Kirk by continuing his message.
Flowers, our flags and handwritten messages remained Makes-a-mortar Kirk is at the main entrance to Utah Valley University. The school says security will increase if classes resume Wednesday.
