Inside Tyler Robinson's life as Charlie Kirk suspect went from 'quiet' teen to 'assassin'

Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, came from what has been described as a 'very loving family', who saw him as a 'wonderful' man. A far cry from the image he holds today.

The 22-year-old from Utah has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson's identity was revealed following an extensive police investigation that saw authorities tirelessly working to close in on the suspected murderer.

According to officials, Utah state and local police took him into custody on Thursday night and are holding him without bail. US President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest during a Fox News appearance on Friday, stating that "someone very close" to the suspect turned him over to the authorities.

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Two sources also told CNN that the man in custody confessed to his dad that he was the shooter. Yet, when it comes to his upbringing and family life, it seems like any other, with Robinson said to be 'from a very loving family'.

According to reports, his father, Matt Robinson, is a 27-year veteran of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. His mother, Amber Robinson, reportedly worked as a care worker.

The accused gunman is said to live in a six-bedroom property worth $600,000 (£442,575) in Washington, Utah - roughly 260 miles south of where the shooting took place, the Daily Mail reports.

The publication also reported that neighbour Kristin Schwiermann, 66, described Robinson as "very respectful and quiet", adding that he "had friends". She also said, "He was smart. He's from a very loving family. I love his mother, and he's from a hard-working family."

Robinson also has two brothers, and in a family snap, it shows them smiling all together with their parents, like any other family would. In another snap of the three brothers, their grandmother commented, "How lucky I am to have such handsome grandsons."

A third family photo shows Robinson and his mother, Amber, beaming beside each other. But amid the photos that have surfaced following his arrest, there are images pointing towards his interest in machine guns.

In one photo, from when Robinson is thought to have been a teenager, he can be seen with an M2 Browning, 50-calibre machine gun, and in another, he posed alongside a scoped rifle. In addition, a photo also shows him holding a bazooka, and others show Robinson with his brothers during days out at gun ranges or military events.

Yet, one photo shows Robinson after being dropped off at university, with his mum referring to him as her "man child." According to a university spokesman, he briefly attended Utah State University in 2021 before dropping out.

He is said to have moved back home to complete an electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College. His mum had previously commented, "he'll pick a Utah college and stay close to mamma", adding, "His options are endless!"

Utah Governor Spencer Cox disclosed on Friday that a member of the suspect's family informed investigators that Robinson had become "more political" in recent years. He mentioned a family member recalling a recent incident in which Robinson attended a dinner before September 10 and discussed Charlie Kirk's upcoming visit to Utah Valley University.

The suspect talked about why he "didn't like him and the viewpoints he had". According to Cox, Robinson also told a family member that "Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate".

Cox also told the press that a relative of Robinson contacted a family friend, who subsequently reached out to a Sheriff with information suggesting the 22-year-old had hinted at carrying out the shooting. And according to CNN, the alleged shooter confessed to his dad that he was the shooter.

In addition, Trump revealed that the suspect was turned in by his own dad. The Utah governor commended the suspect's family members for "doing the right thing" by surrendering Robinson to the authorities.

"I especially want to thank the family of Charlie Kirk," the governor stated during the news conference, adding: "I want us to be thinking of them as we bring justice to this case."