Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting identified as Tyler Robinson

The FBI has taken a man named Tyler Robinson into custody as a suspect in connection to the assassination on Wednesday of conservative activist Charlie Kirk following a multiday search.

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen — we got him,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said at a Friday morning press conference.

Law enforcement said Robinson, 22, implied involvement in the shooting to a family member, who contacted a family friend, who then told authorities.

Cox described information relayed by a family member of Robinson, who described him as becoming more political in recent years.

“The family member referenced a recent incident in which Robinson came to dinner prior to Sept. 10, and in the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to [Utah Valley University,]” Cox relayed.

“They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints that he had. The family member also stated Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate.”

Cox also described messages that were inscribed on both spent and unused bullet casings related to the shooting.

Among the unfired casings were inscribed messages such as “Hey fascist!” and “Catch!”

Another also read, “If you read this, you are gay, lmao.”

Footage reviewed by law enforcement showed Robinson arriving at the scene in his car. He was later found to be wearing consistent clothing when approached by law enforcement.

Law enforcement also reviewed Discord messages between Robison and his roommate, showing a contact named Tyler discussing the need to recover a rifle he left wrapped in a towel in a bush.

Facial recognition technology was used to identify the suspect and items visible in surveillance footage were found on him during a search, NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, reported.

The announcement confirms earlier remarks from President Trump, who said a suspect was in custody during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“So much work has been done over the last two and a half days…but yeah, I think we’re in great shape. And he’s in custody,” Trump added.

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The conservative activist was a close ally of the White House and was a close friend of Donald Trump Jr. and many administration officials.

FBI leaders based in Utah announced Thursday morning that they had recovered the rifle used in the shooting.

They also said they had considerable footage of the suspect, who they described as having “blended in well with a college institution.”

Law enforcement later released images of a person of interest in the case, showing a man wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and a T-shirt with an eagle and an American flag. The FBI then offered an up to $100,000 reward for any tip resulting in the arrest of the shooter.

FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters that the information led to an outpouring of tips, leaving agents combing through 11,000 leads.

“In 33 hours, we have made historic progress for Charlie,” Patel said, referencing the time it took to find the suspect.

Cox said Utah law allows a three-day time period for bringing charges, suggesting a criminal case may not be filed until next week.

Cox then gave an emotional appeal for Americans to reject political violence.

“This is certainly about the tragic death, assassination – political assassination – of Charlie Kirk. But it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals. This cuts to the very foundation of who we are, of who we have been and who we could be in better times,” he said.

“Political violence is different than any other type of violence for lots of different reasons, one because in the very act that Charlie championed of expression, that freedom of expression that is enshrined in our founding documents, in having his life taken that … makes it more difficult for people to feel like they can share their ideas, that they can speak freely.”

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 1:15 p.m. EDT