Authorities seek to learn more about motivation behind Charlie Kirk shooting

Authorities are still trying to learn more about what motivated the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college in Utah, as the conservative activist’s family plan a memorial next week to his life and legacy.

Tyler Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder and other felony offences. Prosecutors are drawing up formal charges that could be filed early next week, when he will make his first court appearance.

Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and carried out a search of his family’s home in Washington, about 240 miles south-west of Utah Valley University, where the shooting took place.

Authorities have not provided many details about why they think Robinson carried out the attack on Mr Kirk.

Utah governor Spencer Cox said family members told authorities that Robinson “had become more political in recent years”. They recounted to authorities a dinner table conversation in which he mentioned Mr Kirk’s upcoming visit to Utah Valley University and they discussed whether the activist was spreading hate.

State records show Robinson is registered to vote but not affiliated with a political party and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.

Ammunition found with the weapon used to kill Mr Kirk was engraved with taunting, anti-fascist and meme-culture messages. One bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!”, Mr Cox said.

Robinson grew up around St George, in the south-western corner of Utah between Las Vegas and natural landmarks including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church, at a young age, church spokesman Doug Andersen said.

Robinson has two younger brothers and his parents have been married for about 25 years, according to social media posts. Online activity by Robinson’s mother reflects an active family that took trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska.

Like many in that part of Utah, they frequently spent time outdoors – boating, fishing, zip-lining and target shooting. A 2017 post shows the family visiting a military facility and posing with assault rifles. A young Robinson is seen smiling as he grips the handles of a .50-caliber heavy machine gun.

A high school honour roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardised tests, he was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter that was posted to a family member’s social media account.

But he attended for only one semester, according to a university spokesperson. He is currently enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College in St George.

Mr Kirk’s death has prompted calls for greater civility in the country’s political discourse, especially on social media. But many people have made comments about the shooting that brought consequences, including firings.

MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd lost his job shortly after on-air comments about Mr Kirk, one of the first of many figures to experience similar fallout.

Office Depot said on Friday it fired a worker at a Michigan store who was seen on video refusing to print flyers for a vigil to Mr Kirk and calling them “propaganda”.

Several Delta Air Lines employees were also suspended after social media posts that “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate”, the airline’s chief executive, Ed Bastian, said in a message to the company.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis’s education commissioner warned teachers in the state that making “disgusting” statements about Mr Kirk’s assassination could draw sanctions, including the suspension or revocation of their teaching licences.

A conservative internet personality who is embedded with immigration agents in Chicago filmed a video outside Illinois governor JB Pritzker’s private home in which he urged viewers to “take action” after Mr Kirk’s assassination. Mr Pritzker’s office said his security has been increased in recent days.

Meanwhile, Turning Point USA, Mr Kirk’s conservative organisation, will hold a memorial for him on September 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play.

Mr Kirk’s casket arrived on Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by US Vice-President JD Vance.

His widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.

“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said on Friday in a livestreamed video. “It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”

Flowers, US flags and handwritten messages have been left at a makeshift memorial to Mr Kirk at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume on September 17.