WASHINGTON, Utah –

Investigation and arrest

At a news conference, Cox outlined the timeline leading to Robinson’s arrest.

The information was passed to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, investigators at Utah Valley University (UVU) and the FBI.

Surveillance and identification

Authorities stated that surveillance footage caught Robinson arriving at UVU in a gray Dodge Challenger at about 8:29 a.m. on Sept. 10, just prior to the shooting incident. Later, a family member confirmed to investigators that Robinson owned a matching vehicle.

“He is observed on video in a plain maroon T-shirt, light colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light colored shoes,” Cox said.

Fox News Digital captured a grey Dodge Challenger parked in the driveway of Robinson’s family home in Washington, Utah.

Witness statements

Family members told investigators Robinson had “become more political in recent years.”

“The relative recounted a recent instance when Robinson attended dinner prior to Sept. 10,” Cox remarked. “During that meeting, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk’s upcoming visit to UVU. They discussed their disagreements with him and his beliefs.”

Investigators also spoke with Robinson’s roommate.

“Investigators spoke with that roommate who indicated that Robinson, his roommate, made a remark on Discord,” Cox elaborated. “The messages discussed the need to retrieve a rifle from a hiding place… communications about surveilling the spot where a rifle was concealed… bullets being engraved… and a note about the rifle left wrapped in a towel.”

Weapon recovered

The investigation led to the recovery of a rifle north of UVU’s Campus Drive Road, where authorities found a rifle wrapped in a “dark-colored towel.”

“The rifle was determined to be a Mauser Model 98 .36 caliber bolt action rifle,” Cox said. “The rifle had a scope mounted on top of it. Investigators noted inscriptions that had been engraved on casings found with the rifle.”

A general view of a wreath laid by mourners outside the US Embassy in Pretoria on Sept. 11, 2025, following the fatal shooting of US youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk while speaking during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, United States. (PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

Governor: Robinson family ‘did the right thing’

Cox credited law enforcement and the public with swiftly closing in on Robinson.

“We are indebted to law enforcement across the state,” he said. “We’re grateful for everyone who worked together in such a short amount of time to find this person and to bring justice.”

The Republican governor thanked Robinson’s family members for doing the “right thing.”

“I want to thank the public who has been so engaged reviewing videos, helping us with sending in tips and helping us get to this point,” Cox said. “I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson who did the right thing in this case and were able to bring him in to law enforcement as well.”

Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Lane Frantzve appear on stage during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19, 2025. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Cox also offered condolences to Kirk’s loved ones, saying: “I especially want to thank the family of Charlie Kirk — Erika, Charlie’s parents, his two young children. 

“This is a very sad day for our country, a terrible day for the state of Utah,” Cox said. “But I’m grateful that at this moment, we have an opportunity to bring closure to this very dark chapter in our nation’s history.”

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