The Utah community was stumbling as a “quiet” neighbour linked to Kirk’s shooting
The town of Utah reacts after a local man is tied up by Charlie Kirk’s shooting, and neighbors recall his quiet nature and church family.
WASHINGTON CITY, Utah – As an investigator, he works to understand the motives of Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Authorities detained Robinson on the morning of September 12, accusing him of shooting a conservative activist at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on September 10.
“He was always very quiet and had a few friends,” Christine Schweierman said. He said he’s known his family for decades. “I think he’s smarter in terms of musicality.”
Robinson was charged with murder on September 12, discharge from the hospital on a felony of a firearm and obstruction of justice in Utah County Courthouse, according to court records obtained by USA Today.
Hours after his arrest, the scene outside the Robinson family home was eerie quiet. His family lives in a two-storey gray home in Washington City. Washington City is a community located in Utah’s rising red, rocky cliffs.
Many reporters gathered from the house across the street, but few others were there. The Domino’s delivery vehicle, which was ordered by the Robinson House, was one of the few cars that drove down the road.
Police officers in the vehicle parked in front of the house have instructed people to stay away from their property. One of the officers delivered a single pizza box to Robinson’s entrance.
A neighbor standing nearby said the Robinson family is active in the community and is involved in the Latter-day Saint Church of Jesus Christ. Many said they knew children at school and church activities and didn’t suspect anything unusual. Tyler said he had two brothers.
Schwiermann said she has lived two doors down the Robinson family for the past 16 years, but has known them for a longer period. As the principal of the Washington County School District, she said she saw Tyler Robinson and his brother grow up. She often crossed paths with her family at church and school events.
Schwiermann said he believes social media could have played a role in shaping Robinson’s views.
“There’s too much hatred there,” she said. “I know he didn’t teach them. I don’t hate him. I loved Charlie Kirk, but I try to understand what’s going on in his mind.”
She described the suspect’s mother, Amber, as “a very beautiful and sweet woman,” and said she was heartbroken for her family. In addition to the shock, Schwiermann said his grandson was attending the Charlie Kirk event.
“My feelings were not at least a massive amount of shooting,” she said. “The funny thing is that my daughter actually hosts events for mental health, which makes you think.”
Another longtime neighbour, Robert Sylvester, said he had known the suspect from a small interaction over the years. After Sylvester remembered, Tyler helped him find the water shutoff valve after the leak.
“He was quiet – we didn’t actually communicate back and forth,” Sylvester said. “A lot of people call that politeness, he was very introverted and I didn’t look at it politely.
He recalls seeing the Robinson brothers do the typical things that neighbours children run down the streets.
“I didn’t expect that,” Sylvester said. “It just tears me apart.”
Contribution: Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today.
