After Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old student, shot Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tracked him down and arrested him. Now, US President Trump has praised Director Kash Patel for the swift action in capturing the alleged shooter.
‘Very proud of FBI’: Trump
“I am very proud of the FBI. Kash and everyone else have done a great job,” Trump told Fox News Digital.
This praise comes after Patel faced criticism for prematurely announcing the suspect’s arrest.
“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with the FBI. We will provide updates when able,” Patel had written on X.
However, this statement was later refuted by Utah police during a press conference, where they clarified that the suspect was still at large at the time.
Tyler Robinson’s arrest
Tyler Robinson was arrested just 33 hours after the murder of the conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. He allegedly shot Kirk from a rooftop on the campus of Utah Valley University before fleeing the scene.
He then fled the scene, with text on bullet casings. One of them was, “Hey fascist! Catch,” while another had the lyrics of the Italian song Bella Ciao.
“If you read this, you are gay LMAO,” yet another engraving, per CNN, read.
When the FBI released grainy photos of Robinson, his father asked if it was him. After Robinson confirmed, his father urged him to surrender. Initially hesitant, Robinson later agreed to turn himself in after a conversation with a pastor.
Utah County prosecutors plan to file charges on Tuesday, after which he will be produced before the court.