Utah Student Identified as Suspect in Shooting of Charlie Kirk
St. George, Utah – Tyler James Robinson, a 21-year-old student, is in custody following the shooting of conservative activist Charlie kirk in St. George, Utah, on February 8, 2024. Robinson is currently being held as prosecutors prepare formal charges in what officials are calling a significant political killing.
Robinson is a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College. He previously attended Utah State University for one semester in 2021 and earned concurrent enrollment credits through Utah Tech University while in high school between 2019 and 2021, according to the Utah Board of Higher Education.
Details emerging from the investigation reveal Robinson was deeply involved in online culture. Investigators discovered inscriptions on shell casings linked to the case referencing online “copypasta” and trolling humor. One casing bore the phrase “notices bulges OwO what’s this?”, while another read “If you read this, you are gay lmao.” Other casings displayed potential sympathies with the anti-fascist (Antifa) movement, including the inscription “hey fascist! Catch!” accompanied by directional arrows, and lyrics from the Italian resistance song “Bella Ciao.”
Authorities also found evidence of Robinson’s activity on the social media platform Discord. His roommate reportedly provided investigators with messages from a contact identified as “Tyler” discussing a “rifle drop point” and instructions for retrieving and concealing a weapon. Discord subsequently suspended Robinson’s account for violating its off-platform behavior policy.
Robinson’s family is described as active members of the Mormon church; his father owns a kitchen countertop and cabinet installation business, and his mother is a social worker.
The investigation into Robinson’s background,motives,and potential affiliations is ongoing.
