Investigators have disclosed that the presumed murderer of the well-known conservative figure Charlie Kirk had a longstanding interest in firearms since childhood.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was named on Friday as the individual accused of shooting Kirk during a demonstration at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Family social media posts indicate that Robinson had a fascination with guns from an early age, frequently visiting shooting ranges. Photos from his teenage years show him posing with various firearms, including a scoped rifle, an M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun, and even holding a bazooka in one picture.
His mother, Amber Robinson, regularly shared images on Facebook of Robinson and his siblings at military events and shooting ranges. In one post, she is seen proudly holding a US Army machine gun.
In a family photo from Christmas 2017, Tyler Robinson can be seen with a new iPhone, while his brother received a “build it yourself” gun kit, as reported.
Another photo from the same year, posted by his mother, shows him dressed as Donald Trump for Halloween. FBI Director Kash Patel and other officials identified Robinson as the suspected assailant who fatally shot Kirk from a rooftop about 200 yards away using a Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle on Friday.
Robinson was apprehended on Thursday evening in southern Utah, living in a six-bedroom mansion in Washington, Utah, about 260 miles south of Orem where Kirk was killed.
Sources reported that Robinson confessed to his father, Matt, mentioning his reluctance to surrender but later agreed to talk to a local youth pastor who also serves in the US Marshals Service.
His mother works for a state-contracted firm assisting individuals with disabilities, while online records indicate both of his parents are registered Republicans.
Robinson briefly attended Utah State University on a scholarship in 2021 before being charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause affidavit.
During a press conference, authorities stated that Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. Utah Governor Spencer Cox referred to Kirk’s murder as a pivotal moment in American history.
Cox mentioned that Robinson’s family informed investigators of his recent increase in political involvement and expressed disdain for Kirk, labeling him as “full of hate.”
