Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson, 22, is taken into custody after his relative contacts authorities.

- BY GRACE TOOHEY, JENNY JARVIE, RICHARD WINTON AND CLARA HARTER

THE CASKET containing Charlie Kirk's body is removed from Air Force Two on Thursday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday announced the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after the man confessed to family members.

“We got him!” Cox exclaimed at a morning news conference.

The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody at 10 p.m. Thursday in St. George, Utah, about 280 miles south of Orem.

A court affidavit showed he was arrested on suspicion of committing three felonies: aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice.

Cox said investigators have extensive evidence linking Robinson to the shooting, including notes on the Discord chat app and markings on ammunition left with the bolt-action rifle that they believe was used in the shooting.

One of the engravings on the ammunition, Cox said, read: “Hey fascist! Catch!”

Another marking read “Bella Ciao” — a reference to an Italian song that pays tribute to the antifascist resistance during World War II. It has also been adopted, ironically, in recent years by the far right in an attempt to ridicule leftists.

Some of the more obscure and idiosyncratic engravings Cox described suggest the suspect was steeped in online and video gaming subcultures.

“Notices bulges OWO what's this?” according to Know Your Meme, is a phrase “parodying both furries and online roleplay subcultures, which is typically used online as a method of trolling.”

When asked about the motive of the gunman, Cox suggested the “Hey fascist” marking clearly showed the gunman's intent: “I think that speaks for itself,” he said.