Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was captured on Thursday after a tense 33-hour manhunt that gripped both Utah and the nation. His arrest followed new revelations about his alleged role in the assassination, including chilling online confessions that surfaced in the hours leading up to his capture. The Washington Post reported that Robinson confessed in a private Discord chat, openly admitting responsibility for the fatal attack on Kirk during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
Messages obtained from that chat painted a disturbing picture of a young man acknowledging his actions shortly after the shooting. “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” Robinson reportedly wrote, before going on to admit, “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.” His final note to friends thanked them “for all the good times and laughs,” a farewell that suggested he anticipated either arrest or death in the aftermath. The message was sent roughly two hours before law enforcement finally tracked him down.
Officials at Discord confirmed that the company cooperated fully with investigators, providing the FBI with Robinson’s chat records and details of his online activity. This digital evidence has quickly become a crucial piece in understanding Robinson’s motives and state of mind leading up to the shooting. Meanwhile, video from the event itself showed the shocking moment Kirk was struck in the neck while addressing thousands of students at the Turning Point USA gathering he had been invited to headline.
The investigation has also uncovered additional evidence that underscores the premeditated nature of the attack. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed in an interview on Fox & Friends that Robinson had not only confessed in private chats but had also sent a text message explicitly declaring his plan to assassinate Kirk. Investigators further believe that Robinson drafted a note outlining his “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk.” Though the note itself was destroyed, forensic analysis and witness statements reportedly confirm both its existence and contents, adding to the mounting case against him.
Physical evidence has also tied Robinson directly to the crime scene. Patel disclosed that Robinson’s DNA was found on a towel wrapped around the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting, as well as on a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop where authorities believe the fatal shot was fired. These forensic links are expected to play a pivotal role when Robinson appears before a judge.
Robinson is being held in custody at a Utah jail and is expected to be formally charged no later than Tuesday, when he is scheduled for his initial court appearance. With the confession, digital evidence, and DNA findings, prosecutors are preparing what appears to be an overwhelming case. For the conservative movement—and especially for those closest to Kirk—the developments provide clarity but little solace, as the loss of one of their most influential young leaders continues to reverberate nationwide.
