The widow of slain US conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, has vowed to continue her husband’s political movement after authorities announced the arrest of his alleged assassin.
Kirk, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot dead on Wednesday while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem. He was 31.
After days of an intense manhunt, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, identified through security camera footage released by investigators.
“We got him,” Cox said at a press briefing Friday. “On the evening of September 11th, a family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend, who contacted the Washington County sheriff’s office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also announced that Robinson was taken into custody around 10:00 p.m. Thursday. He faces charges of aggravated murder and could face the death penalty, which Trump has already backed for the case.
A heartbroken Erika Kirk, wife of the late activist, described him as “the perfect father…the perfect husband.”
“The evil-doers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done,” she said in a live video address.
“The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”
Trump has ordered flags to fly at half-mast nationwide in Kirk’s honour.
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA in 2012, rose to prominence as a fiery speaker who rallied young conservatives across the United States. His views on race, gender, immigration, Christianity, and gun rights made him polarising, though even critics acknowledged his willingness to debate.
Supporters have since hailed him as a “martyr for conservative ideals.”
Details emerging about Robinson paint a picture of a Republican family’s son from St. George, a conservative city about four hours from Orem.
Neighbours described him as quiet but unexpected in his alleged actions.
“Who would have known that this little skinny guy getting in and out of his car would be able to commit such a heinous act?” former neighbour Heather McKnight told AFP.
Photographs circulating online show Robinson in Halloween costumes mimicking Trump, and posing with firearms.
A former classmate, Jaida Funk, 22, recalled, “I always thought he would become a businessman or a CEO someday, rather than what I’m learning about him now. It’s definitely unexpected.”
Investigators also revealed disturbing details of markings found on unused bullet casings from the recovered rifle.
One cartridge reportedly carried the inscription “Hey, fascist! Catch!” while another had “Bella Ciao,” a World War II Italian anti-fascist song now popular in fringe online communities.
Other casings bore symbols linked to online gaming culture, raising questions about Robinson’s influences and motives.
The assassination has dominated US media coverage, intensifying debates about political rhetoric, extremism, and online radicalisation.
At Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot, students described shock and fear.
“It makes me sick to my stomach,” said Dave Sanchez, a 26-year-old attendee. “We watch him all the time and so it really does feel like one of your own family members has been killed.”
Hundreds gathered at vigils across Utah on Thursday, many wearing MAGA caps and waving American flags, in what supporters described as a show of unity and defiance.
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