New investigative details have emerged regarding the apprehension of the individual accused of fatally shooting a prominent conservative activist last month. Authorities confirm that the suspect returned to the campus where the attack occurred hours later, apparently in an effort to retrieve the firearm used in the crime.
The incident took place on September 10 during a political event at a Utah university. According to law enforcement officials, after the shooting, the alleged assailant, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, fled the scene and disposed of his rifle in a wooded area.
However, investigators state that Robinson later returned to the campus perimeter that same night. His attempt to recover the weapon was interrupted when he encountered a police officer stationed there as part of the ongoing lockdown and security response. The presence of that officer is believed to have prevented him from accessing the discarded firearm.
“We have been able to confirm that he did return to that campus and did make contact with an officer,” stated a public safety commissioner in a recent briefing. “The specifics of that interaction remain part of the active investigation.”
Further reports indicate that in the hours following the attack, Robinson visited a local restaurant, behaving in what was described as a “normal” manner. His movements were later tracked by authorities.
The suspect’s communications, revealed as part of the investigation, shed light on his actions and motives. In messages to a roommate, Robinson reportedly discussed his plan to retrieve the rifle, writing that if successful, he would “have left no evidence.” He expressed frustration that security measures had complicated his plan.
When questioned by the recipient of those messages about his reason for the attack, Robinson allegedly cited a personal threshold for what he called the victim’s “hatred,” stating, “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
The suspect ultimately surrendered to authorities after his family became aware he was the focus of the manhunt. He now faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
The victim, 31-year-old political commentator Charlie Kirk, is survived by his wife and two children.
