The arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has left the nation shocked and searching for answers. Robinson, a resident of Washington, Utah, was identified by authorities as the suspect in the tragic shooting of Kirk, a 31-year-old political activist and ally of former President Donald Trump. The shooting occurred on Tuesday (September 10) during an outdoor event called The American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem. Around 3,000 attendees were present when Kirk was shot in the neck roughly 20 minutes after the event began.
While authorities are still investigating a possible motive, reports indicate that anti-fascist messages were found engraved on bullet casings recovered at the scene. After the shooting, the internet was full of speculation about Tyler Robinson. Some unverified posts claimed he was part of the alt-right Groyper group. However, his family has spoken out to give their side of the story, saying he was shy, quiet, and not involved in politics.
Debbie Robinson: Tyler Robinson’s grandmother shares her side
Debbie Robinson, Tyler’s 69-year-old grandmother, told The Independent that the family leans politically conservative, strongly identifying with the Republican Party and President Trump. “My son, his dad, is a Republican for Trump,” she said. “Most of my family members are Republican. I don’t know any single one who’s a Democrat.”
Speaking about her grandson’s arrest, Debbie described him as shy and politically quiet. “I’m just so confused. Tyler is the shyest person. He has never, ever spoken politics to me at all,” she said. She insisted that Robinson had never gotten into trouble before, adding, “There’s just no way he could be violent. There’s absolutely no way that he did that.”
Debbie also dismissed claims about Tyler’s familiarity with firearms. “I’ve watched that child grow up, and I can’t imagine that it would ever, ever, ever be him,” she said. “I know he doesn’t own any guns. He doesn’t hunt. He’s never liked anything like that. There’s just no way he could have been that good of a shot.”
Who are Tyler Robinson’s parents: Amber Denise Robinson and Matt Robinson
Tyler Robinson’s parents, Amber Denise Robinson and Matt Robinson, are both registered Republicans, reflecting the family’s conservative leanings. Amber works as a licensed social worker at Intermountain Support Coordination Services, an organisation that helps people with disabilities access care. Matt runs a family-owned construction company specialising in kitchen countertops, cabinets, and stone surfaces in Washington, Utah.
Both parents have held hunting licenses, and Amber has described one of Tyler’s siblings as a ‘gun toting, cowboy loving, brilliant kid’ in a 2021 Facebook post. Despite these conservative family traits, Amber explains her children’s academic achievements. Photos and videos from her Facebook account show Tyler wearing glasses and shoes similar to those captured in FBI surveillance footage during the manhunt. A post from 2020 noted Tyler maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned near-perfect scores on the ACT.
Conflicting early reports mistakenly claimed that Matt Robinson was a 27-year veteran of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities quickly clarified that Matt had no connection to law enforcement, and the misinformation likely arose from confusion with other people of the same name.
In fact, Matt reportedly assisted authorities in apprehending his son, demonstrating the gravity and complexity of the situation for the family. The Washington County Attorney’s Office confirmed that Tyler Robinson was transported to Utah County, where the case now falls under the jurisdiction of the Utah County Attorney’s Office.
Tyler Robinson’s siblings and family life
Tyler Robinson is one of three brothers. Posts by Amber Robinson in 2021 reference his younger siblings, Austin and Logan, celebrating the first day of school, as per Newsweek. Austin, at the time, was entering his junior year of high school, while Logan was beginning his freshman year. By 2025, Austin is likely in college, and Logan could be just starting. Amber’s posts paint a picture of a family deeply engaged in their children’s education and achievements.
Tyler Robinson: Background and education
As per Newsweek, Robinson briefly attended Utah State University in 2021 for one semester but did not enroll at UVU. During a visit to the campus, Amber posted about spending quality time with Tyler, enjoying ice cream, and taking in the college experience. Investigators said that Tyler had become ‘increasingly political’ in recent years, voicing opposition to Kirk’s views. He reportedly mentioned Kirk’s upcoming visit to a family member, calling the Turning Point USA founder ‘full of hate and spreading hate.’
Robinson is a registered voter but is not affiliated with any political party and is listed as inactive, suggesting he did not vote in the last presidential elections. Reports indicate that he may have criticised Kirk in private conversations, although authorities have yet to confirm a motive for the shooting.
Tyler Robinson’s investigation and arrest
Following the attack, authorities gathered evidence from various sources, including a family friend to whom Tyler allegedly confessed responsibility. Further proof included bullet casings engraved with messages and electronic communications retrieved from a chat app by his roommate. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting ‘an attack on the American experiment’ and urged young Americans to choose a different path.
President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the arrest on Friday morning during an appearance on Fox News, saying, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him.” Robinson was taken into custody earlier that day. The arrest came shortly after law enforcement released fresh photos of the suspect, appealing for the public’s help in locating him.
The news of Tyler Robinson’s arrest brought relief to students at UVU, though unease remains. Emma Robben, a student, told Newsweek that she feels somewhat safer knowing the suspect is in custody but still worries about future incidents.
Authorities have yet to release further details on motive, and Tyler Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.
As the investigation continues, all eyes are on Tyler Robinson’s family. He grew up in a quiet, studious, conservative household, which makes the accusations against him even more shocking.
Debbie Robinson continues to express disbelief that her grandson could commit such an act, insisting that he has never handled a gun or shown any inclination toward violence. Meanwhile, authorities work to unravel the motive and ensure justice for the victims. The case remains ongoing, with legal proceedings expected to shed further light on the events leading to the fatal shooting.