As authorities launched a manhunt after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, the mother of the man later identified as the suspect became worried when she saw the images released by investigators.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck during a Turning Point USA rally at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 11, after his family contacted law enforcement, saying he had hinted that he was the shooter.
On Tuesday, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said at a press conference that Robinson is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing violence in the presence of children. Authorities plan to seek the death penalty.
Gray shared more details about the investigation, saying that before Robinson’s father helped turn him in, it was his mother who first suspected her son might be involved in Kirk’s shooting.
On Sept. 11, Robinson’s mother, who has not been publicly named, saw photos of the suspect and thought it could be her son, Gray said.
When she called Robinson, he allegedly said he was sick at home and had been at home the day before as well.
She then told Robinson’s father that she was worried the suspect looked like their son, and he agreed, according to Gray.
Robinson’s mother told investigators that over the past year, he had become more political, with views that clashed with his family’s, especially his father’s.
Gray said Robinson had mentioned that his father was a “pretty die hard MAGA” supporter since President Donald Trump was elected.
Gray also shared text exchanges between Robinson and his roommate, who is not charged in the case.
When asked why he shot the right-wing activist, Robinson allegedly said, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson allegedly told his roommate he had planned the shooting for “a bit over a week.”
According to Gray, Robinson’s father told authorities he believed the rifle police suspected was used matched a rifle given to Robinson as a gift.
