Featured Image Credit: Handout / FBI
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, US News, News, Politics, Donald Trump
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, US News, News, Politics, Donald Trump
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has just released several updates about the Charlie Kirk shooting in a press conference this afternoon (12 September), including a mugshot.
The 31-year-old right-wing activist, known for his polarising political beliefs, was shot in the neck as he spoke to a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday (10 September).
Kirk, who is the founder of Turning Point USA, was seated under a white gazebo and was answering a question when a single shot struck him in the neck, with over 3,000 people witnessing the horrific event.
After the shooting, Kirk was rushed to hospital by his security team, and later, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Kirk had died.
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"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 wrote.
The suspect has since been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
In one of the latest updates today (12 September), the suspect was named as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, a law enforcement official reportedly told The Associated Press.
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Earlier this afternoon, Trump was speaking on Fox's talk show, Fox & Friends, where he revealed that there was a 'high degree of certainty we have him in custody'.
He also said on the programme that the suspect is '28 or 29,' despite the FBI previously saying he was 'of college age'.
Officials have since released his mugshot.
Speaking at the press conference today, Utah Governor Spencer Cox explained that investigators reviewed video footage and appeared to identify Robinson arriving in a Dodge Challenger vehicle at approximately 08:29 local time on 10 September.
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When encountered in person by investigators on 12 September, he was observed in clothing consistent with that in the footage, including a 'plain maroon t-shirt, light-coloured shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light-coloured shoes'.
According to the President, 'someone very close' to the suspect turned him in, with Trump later claiming that his own father had helped.
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"They drove into the police headquarters, and he's there now," Trump told Fox & Friends viewers.
In today's press conference, Cox thanked the family members of the suspect, who 'did the right thing' and brought him to law enforcement.
"I especially want to thank the family of Charlie Kirk," he said, adding: "I want us to be thinking of them as we bring justice to this case."
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Cox went on to share that investigators found a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark towel, and the gun had a scope mount on top of it.
He also noted that there were inscriptions on a few unused bullet casings, including one which read: "Notices. Bulges. OwO. What’s this?"
There were also inscriptions on three unfired casings, which included: 'Hey fascist! Catch!', 'oh bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao' and 'if you read this you are gay lmao'.
According to the BBC, 'ciao bella' is in reference to an Italian song about the Italian resistance fighting against occupying troops from Nazi Germany.
Cox also said that one of Robinson’s family members told police he had become 'more political' in recent months.
In a previous family dinner, Robinson reportedly spoke about how much he 'did not like Kirk', and told a family member about how he was 'full of hate and spreading hate'.
According to Cox, several Discord posts from Robinson to his roommate included details on the location of the rifle, as well as technical information about the 'unique' weapon, such as its scope.
The account allegedly belonging to Robinson also mentioned changing outfits, Cox adds.
While Cox said he believes Robsinson 'acted alone', he did outline that the investigation is ongoing.