How the Charlie Kirk Assassination Unfolded — A Forensic Breakdown
On a quiet afternoon at Utah Valley University, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was delivering a speech when he was tragically assassinated by a sniper. Investigators later revealed that the shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, had entered the campus through interior stairwells and reached a rooftop sniper position without detection. At approximately 12:23 p.m., he fired a single, long-range shot from around 200 yards away, fatally striking Kirk in the neck.
Security footage confirmed Robinson’s movements across the building and roof. Forensic evidence, including palm and shoe prints, as well as a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel found in nearby woods, tied him to the scene.
His escape included a brief encounter with a construction worker and a calculated retreat through a wooded area. Digital forensic work later identified Robinson via surveillance analysis and chat messages about the weapon. The turning point came when his own father recognized him in FBI-released footage and, with the help of a youth pastor, persuaded his son to surrender peacefully after a 33-hour manhunt.
Robinson now faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder. His father’s decision to intervene was widely praised for helping prevent further violence.