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.
The suspect, who was accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk when he spoke on the University of Utah campus earlier this week, is waiting for a formal charge on Saturday, but the investigation into the motives and heated debate for the political violence caused by the assassination is far from far off.
Authorities identified 22-year-old Utah Tyler Robinson as the shooter and said he fired a shot from the rooftop of the Utah Valley University campus, who killed Kirk on Wednesday, September 10th. Robinson was arrested late on the evening of September 11th, authorities allegedly confessed to his family. He is facing charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice, according to court records obtained by USA Today.
The shooting sparked an all-nighter and gathering to honor Kirk. Hundreds of people gathered for a rally on Friday night in Des Moines, Iowa. According to the Des Moines Register, part of the USA Today Network, photos of Kirk and his family, a flag and a video of a speech by Kirk’s widow were shown.
Erica Kirk gave an emotional speech on Friday night, where she called her husband “martian” and vowed to continue her job at the conservative organization Turning Point USA.
“The evil ones for the assassination of my husband don’t know what they did,” she said. “The widow’s cry echoes all over the world like a scream of battle.”
President Donald Trump’s 31-year-old activist and ally, Charlie Kirk was killed in one gunshot while speaking in front of about 3,000 people as part of a “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. The shooting caused students and spectators to run in panic, filmed on video and became widely popular.
Kirk’s vigil was born in Des Moines, Iowa. West Palm Beach and Neptune Beach, Florida. East Lansing, Michigan. Phoenix, Arizona and others, according to reports from the USA Today Network. More all nights have been planned on Saturday and over the next few days.
Deborah Janna, who helped organize a vigil in Des Moines, led the crowd in prayer, with the promise to continue Kirk’s legacy.
“We ask that you strengthen us. God, no matter how old we are, you have a plan for us. And God, we will take that torch, carry it, carry the light of Charlie Kirk,” she prayed.
Similar messages about the ongoing Kirk advocacy were shared across multiple vigils. In West Palm Beach, local Young Republican Club president Alex Farmee reported the Palm Beach Post, saying, “The best way we can respect him is to move forward with that mission.”
Other gatherings have emerged all over the world, including Australia and the UK. In London, a far-right rally drew tens of thousands of people on Saturday to host an event hosted by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim activist Tommy Robinson. The event was charged to focus on freedom of speech, but added plans to lament American activists. Some of the London crowds wore Maga hats and raised the American flag.
Public figures, academics and everyday business owners have influenced comments and social media posts, including celebrations and other meditations that attracted quick rebukes after Kirk’s murder. A similar phenomenon occurred in 2024 after an attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump, who was campaigning for the office.
The news reports Chronicle’s backlash against MSNBC analysts, deans of Tennessee State University’s Mid-University University, employees of the University of Mississippi, and communications coordinators for the Carolina Panthers. The Cincinnati BBQ restaurant lost its contract with local stadium TQL Stadium after owner Aaron Sharp commented on a Facebook post about Kirk’s assassination.
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-Julia Gomez, Melina Khan, Phaedra Trethan
Prosecutors are expected to file charges against Robinson in his first court appearance on Tuesday, Sept. 16, according to Christopher Ballard of the Utah County Lawyer’s Office.
The Robinson hearing is expected to begin at 3pm local time, Ballard said.
Robinson was arrested for worsening murder, felony discharge of firearms and possible obstruction of justice, records show. He is being held without bail. Court documents confirm that Robinson had no previous felony or misdemeanor convictions on his records.
– Nick Penzenstadler
What we know about Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters that Robinson was taken into custody after the family contacted a family friend.
Investigators used images and videos of the scene, and used messages to identify him with family interviews and with family members, Cox said. The family “doed the right thing,” he said. He added that family and friends helped him “put Robinson into detention.”
Robinson was remembered as “quiet” as an advanced student on the Facebook page of his former classmates, neighbors and his mother. Cox said he has been more political recently, his family told investigators. He attended junior college for the semester and was registered in the electrical apprentice program at the time of shooting. Neighbors said his family is a member of the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, whose members are known as Mormons.
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What was written on the bullet?
Investigators retrieved bullet casings with messages written on them, and also used messages that were apparently sent to their roommates by Robinson to link more crimes.
The single-fire casing read, “Notice, bulging, OWO what is this?” Cox said. The phrase refers to animated videos and internet memes tied to furry cultures. According to Cox, “One of the rude casings said: “Oh Bella Chao, Bella Chao, Chao, Chao.” The lyrics refer to the national anthem of anti-fascist Italian resistance during World War II.
Cox said another person said, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” According to Cox, the third rude casing said, “If you’re reading this, you’re a gay lmao.”
Authorities found the rifle was wrapped in a dumped towel in a wooded area off campus. The message displayed by my roommate contained a reference to a rifle wrapped in a towel that must be obtained. The message also referenced the sculpture, Cox said.
Contributions: N’Dea Yance-Bragg, Thao Nguyen, Davis Winkie, Christopher Cann, Nick Penzenstadler, Aysha Bagchi, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Josh Meyer, Will Carless, David Demille, Michael Loria, Brandon Loomis; Reuters
