Shooter Was Confronted by Father, Threated to Kill Himself

We’re getting some more details now about how Tyler Robinson wound up in FBI custody this morning. His own father recognized him from the photos released in the past few days and confronted him.

The father, Matt Robinson, recognized his 22-year-old son from photos of the suspected shooter that were released by authorities Thursday, leading the parent to confront his son when he returned home, sources said.

Robinson ‘fessed up to the horrific shooting at Utah Valley University when his dad asked if he pulled the trigger — but originally refused to turn himself in to law enforcement, according to sources.

He told his father he’d rather kill himself, leading the parent to convince his son to speak with their youth minister, who also works with the US Marshals Service fugitive task force, sources said.

CNN is also reporting that Robinson confessed:

Tyler Robinson’s father recognized the young man as his son, a law enforcement official told CNN. When Robinson was confronted by his father, he confessed, another source said.

From there, Robinson apparently decided to turn himself in to the FBI.

Beau Mason, Utah’s public safety commissioner, said the 22-year-old accused of Charlie Kirk’s killing surrendered to law enforcement officers at a sheriff’s office in southwest Utah. “When our investigators got down there, they were able to peacefully make contact with him and move through that process of making the arrest,” Mason said in an interview. “He was very compliant with that.” Mason added that the suspect’s family “did a great job of helping him come to a positive resolution to turn himself in.”

Robinson was talking to investigators initially but then lawyered up and is not not speaking to them.

The man who allegedly shot and killed Charlie Kirk on Wednesday is not talking to investigators, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

One source said that the man, Tyler Robinson, was talking with some law enforcement initially but quickly went silent after he “lawyered up” this morning. It’s unclear what he discussed with officers beforehand.

We don’t know what he said to officers before his lawyer showed up but this could set up a situation where he pleads not guilty and his father would be asked to testify that he confessed.

Of course there might be plenty of evidence to convict him even without a confession. They have the weapon and can trace his movements before and after the shooting.

For now he’s being held without bail and is expected to appear in court for the first time next week.

Jeff Gray, the Utah County attorney, plans to file formal charges on Tuesday against the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, according to Christopher D. Ballard, Mr. Gray’s chief of staff. That same day, at 3 p.m. Mountain time, the suspect will make his first court appearance. The hearing will be virtual.

That seems to be all for today but if you go on X you’ll see there are still people trying to claim Robinson was far right rather than far left. Given the Guardian report I mentioned here I don’t think there’s anything left to support those claims but to some people it doesn’t seem to matter.

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