Robinson was taken into custody Thursday night, ending a nationwide manhunt that began after Kirk was gunned down during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest Friday morning during a live Fox News interview, saying “with a high degree of certainty, we have him.” The president explained that a minister familiar with Robinson recognized him and alerted law enforcement. “Somebody that was very close to him said, ‘Hmm, that’s him,’” Trump told viewers.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a political attack, calling it “an attack on the American experiment” and “our ideals.”
He confirmed that Robinson was not a student at the university and had been living with his family in Washington County. A family member told investigators that Robinson mentioned Kirk’s appearance at Utah Valley University just one day before the shooting.
The FBI said Robinson blended in easily on campus before opening fire. He jumped from a roof to flee the scene, sparking a massive search that drew over 11,000 public tips. Agents later recovered a high-powered rifle along his suspected escape route.
Two other individuals were briefly detained and released during the investigation before Robinson’s capture.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was answering a student’s question about gun violence when he was shot through the neck. He was rushed to a hospital but later died of his injuries. His body has since been transported back to Arizona ahead of funeral services.
Kirk was a prominent conservative voice and a close ally of President Trump. He co-founded Turning Point USA, a campus organization that became a leading force in youth conservative activism.
The president honored Kirk on Truth Social shortly after the assassination, writing: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Vice President JD Vance and his wife traveled to Utah to pay respects, personally escorting Kirk’s casket aboard Air Force Two to Arizona.
Trump has ordered flags lowered to half-staff nationwide until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor. He also announced that Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Speaking Friday, the president expressed his hope that Robinson faces the maximum penalty if convicted. “I hope he’s gonna be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did,” Trump said.
Memorial services for Charlie Kirk have not yet been announced. He is survived by his wife and two children.