Local law enforcement officials paused on Saturday to look back on the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and the intense 33-hour investigation that followed, which led to the identification of a suspect.
“For those 33 hours, we had no sleep, just pure dedication,” said Utah County Under Sheriff Shaun Bufton about the collective effort from multiple agencies. “Right from the first moment, within probably 15 minutes, we had around 300 officers—both men and women—responding. Many were leaving the gym, still in workout clothes or attending to family matters, but they jumped into action, geared up, and got to work immediately.”
Kirk, a 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was at the UVU campus on Wednesday for an event where he intended to debate with individuals holding opposing views on conservative topics. Around noon, an assailant fired a single shot from a rooftop 200 yards away, critically injuring Kirk as he fell back in his chair. Despite urgent medical attention, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Both local and state officials collaborated with the FBI, who incorrectly stated that a suspect had already been captured. This person of interest was eventually released after questioning. Momentum in the case increased on Thursday when the first clear surveillance images of the true suspect, a slim man with dark hair, were circulated.
FBI Director Kash Patel, under scrutiny for the agency’s initial management of the investigation, claimed responsibility for distributing the suspect’s images to the public. It was the father of the alleged shooter who eventually handed over his son, Patel noted.
“I can’t imagine how tough that decision must have been,” said Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith during a Saturday interview with Brian Entin at the UVU campus, where a memorial for Kirk attracted supporters. “The father unquestionably did the right thing.”
The jailed suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is expected to be formally charged next week, according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who called Kirk’s murder a political assassination.
