The man accused of killing US conservative political activist Charlie Kirk will appear in a Utah court on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.
Kirk, a close ally of former president Donald Trump and founder of youth conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot dead last week while speaking at a Utah university campus. He was 40 and a father of two.
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who allegedly fired a single rifle shot from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. Robinson was captured following a 33-hour manhunt.
The FBI said DNA evidence tied Robinson to the crime scene.
Kirk had built a large following across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, often using his platforms to rally support for conservative causes and criticize transgender rights. A polarising figure, he drew packed audiences to college campuses where clips of his combative exchanges were widely circulated online.
FBI Director Kash Patel has faced sharp criticism over the agency’s handling of the investigation. He initially announced the arrest of another suspect, who was released two hours later. Patel is scheduled to face Senate questioning on Tuesday, with the bureau’s response to Kirk’s killing expected to feature prominently.
Meanwhile, the White House has vowed to pursue what it described as a left-wing “domestic terror movement” following the shooting — a pledge that has sparked concern among critics who warn it could be used to stifle political dissent.