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33 hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the shooting suspect is now in custody. Authorities have arrested Tyler Robinson, 22.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thirty-three hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the shooting suspect is now in custody.
Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the person accused of fatally shooting Kirk.
Following the shooting, the suspect escaped the scene, prompting a massive manhunt.
“We got him,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Officials said Robinson’s own father recognized his pictures released by the FBI and urged his son to turn himself in.
Our First Coast News Crime & Safety Analyst Mark Baughman said law enforcement was smart to put the pictures of the suspect out quickly. In the end, it helped with the search and led to an arrest being made less than 48 hours after the shooting.
Baughman said the speed of the arrest stands out compared to other high-profile investigations
“He had enough time to get away,” he said. “I mean his goal was to escape and get away and not get caught. That’s not always the case with these shooters.”
“As to the motive, I mean he inscribed some information on the rounds. I’m sure that’s gonna lead and point to the motive of some self-radicalization,” said Baughman.
Thousands of tips came into local law enforcement and the FBI.
Former federal chief assistant prosecutor, Curtis Fallgatter, said while the help is good, nonsense tips can slow investigations down.
Now, prosecutors must decide how to charge Robinson.
“It’s premeditated and with the political pressure on prosecutors, someone that shot a supporter of our president and a political party out of Utah that’s going to support it, it’s highly expected that the young man will face the death penalty.”
It’s expected to be decided soon, whether Robinson is tried at a state or federal level or both.
In Utah, there is a three-day period for prosecutors to file formal charges.