Police investigate Southern Utah homes after Charlie Kirk assassination suspect arrested
ST. GEORGE, Utah (KUTV) — Police investigated Southern Utah properties connected to the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, maintaining a constant presence at a family home and an apartment.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, was arrested in Washington City Thursday night and booked in the Utah County Jail on charges of aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm, and felony obstruction of justice, according to court documents.
A Washington City house, believed to be the suspect's family's home, has been frequented by officers and deputies since Robinson's arrest. There is also a gray Dodge parked outside the home, which could match the description of the suspect's vehicle provided by officials in a Friday press conference.
Officers aren't the only ones at the property, as neighbors have also been passing by in an effort to see what's happening at the house.
Neighbors, some of whom went to church with his family, have expressed shock and sadness, saying incidents like Charlie Kirk's assassination are not typically connected to Southern Utah.
"It's just super shocking when you know it's coming from St. George, Utah ... I grew up here, everyone here kind of lives in a little bubble and bad things just don't happen here normally," said resident Maddox Waters. "Stuff like this it really just disturbs people that I know, people that are local to the area."
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In addition to the family home, the suspect's apartment appears to be an active crime scene with tape blocking off the area. Neighbors near the apartment said they rarely saw Robinson, saying they only knew him by his gray Dodge.
Robinson was raised in the area, attending Pine View High School in St. George before attending Dixie Technical College.
According to officials with the Utah System of Higher Education, Robinson is a third-year student in the college's electrical apprenticeship program. He also previously attended Utah State University for one semester and had received credit through concurrent enrollment at Utah Tech University while in high school. He has no connection to UVU, where the shooting took place.
Misinformation was circulating about a possible connection between the suspect and retired Washington County Deputy Matt Robinson, due to their shared last name, but officials clarified Friday that the suspect is not related to the retired deputy.
A family member told investigators that Robinson had become more political recently, referencing a conversation at dinner between the suspect and a different family member. During the conversation, Robinson allegedly mentioned that Charlie Kirk was coming to Utah and discussed with the other person why he didn't like him and his viewpoints.
Investigators also spoke with a roommate who pointed them to "a joke" Robinson made on Discord, an online chat application, and showed them some messages.
The Discord messages allegedly mentioned leaving a rifle in a bush and engraving bullets. They also allegedly discussed a scope and rifle being unique.
"It's just super shocking and heartbreaking, honestly, whether you agreed with his political views or not. That's still a human life taken just for exercising his right to free speech, so it's just super tragic and unfortunate," Waters said.
Officials believe he worked alone. Formal charges are expected to be filed on Tuesday, with the possibility of an initial appearance later that afternoon.
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