Suspect accused of killing Charlie Kirk is in custody, Trump says

The suspect in custody in connection with the assassination of Charlie Kirk has been identified as a 22-year-old from Utah.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox says Tyler Robinson indicated to a family friend that he was connected to the shooting after he had grown more political and was opposed to Kirk’s beliefs.

Bullet casings discovered by investigators had several inscriptions engraved on them, Cox said. The casing that had been fired read: “notices bulges OWO what’s this?”

Cox said there were three unfired casings:

• One read, “hey fascist! catch!” with an up arrow symbol, right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols.
• Another one read: “oh bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao,” Cox said.
• The third fired casing read: “If you read this, you are gay lmao.”

U.S. President Donald Trump announced during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” that the accused was taken into custody on Friday.

It’s believed a pastor who knew Robinson well aided authorities, leading to his arrest. This connection ultimately led to the alleged killer’s father getting involved.

“Somebody that was very close to him said, ‘Hmm, that’s him,’” Trump said.

Calls to telephone numbers listed for Robinson in public records ring unanswered.

Kirk was killed on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem on Wednesday. Kirk was an ally of Trump and was influential in rallying young Republican voters.

Federal investigators on Thursday released photos and a video of the suspect they believe is responsible for assassinating Kirk as he spoke to a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem.

“I hope he gets the death penalty,” Trump stated during Friday’s interview.

Cox said some people have asked why there have been so many resources dedicated to investigating Kirk’s killing when there’s violence around the country. The governor said it is “much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us.”

The Republican said Kirk’s killing is “an attack on the American experiment” and values, and “cuts to the very foundation of who we are.”