Timeline: Deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, suspect arrested
As students scrambled, federal and state authorities worked to find the perpetrator, and social media videos went viral, leading to confusion immediately following the assassination.
The suspect is identified as Tyler Robinson, 22 and was apprehended at 10 p.m. on Sept. 11.
Below is a timeline of events leading up to and following the deadly shooting on Sept. 10.
Aug. 27, 2025: Turning Point USA announced that Charlie Kirk will be visiting two universities in Utah as part of his American Comeback Tour. UVU on Sept. 10 and Utah State University on Sept. 30.
Sept. 1, 2025: Students protested and signed petitions about Kirk’s planned appearances at UVU and USU.
Sept. 10, 2025, 11:50 a.m.: The suspected shooter was first captured on UVU surveillance cameras, walking across a grassy area around 800 W, north of Campus Drive. He was allegedly walking with a “stiff right leg” at a slow pace.
12 p.m.: Charlie Kirk’s American Comeback Tour began at the UVU Courtyard. He was hosting a “Prove Me Wrong” table, where people ask questions and debate with him. DPS later stated that around 3,000 people attended the event.
12:17 p.m.: Surveillance footage captured the suspected shooter crouching down on the rooftop of the Losee Center building. The shooter lied down in a “prone shooting position” facing the Courtyard at UVU.
12:23 p.m.: A single gunshot was heard in the quad, near the food court. Witnesses reported seeing Charlie Kirk struck in the neck. The crowd began fleeing the area as Kirk was escorted by security to be transported to the Timpanogos Regional Hospital.
A man, later identified as George Zinn, was arrested at the scene of the shooting, and videos circulated on social media. Authorities later confirmed he was not the suspected shooter.
Five local schools in Alpine School District were placed on SECURE protocol after the reported shooting: Lakeridge Junior High, Westmore Elementary, Orem Elementary, Cherry Hill Elementary, and Vineyard Elementary.
12:42 p.m.: UVU sent an alert stating that a “visiting speaker” had been shot at. They also stated that a suspect was in custody and police were investigating.
12:53 p.m.: FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that the shooting at UVU involved Charlie Kirk. He states that the FBI is supporting the ongoing response and investigation.
1:10 p.m.: A UVU spokesperson confirmed that Kirk was shot, but said they did not know his condition at the time. The spokesperson clarified that the suspect is not actually in custody, and police are still investigating.
1:37 p.m.: UVU announced that the campus is closed and classes are cancelled until further notice. They ordered all students to leave the campus immediately.
2:20 p.m.: The Orem Fire Department confirmed to ABC4 crews on scene that the suspect is still not in custody, and it is considered an active shooter situation.
2:15 p.m.: Alpine School District announced that the SECURE protocol at three of the five schools was lifted. The other two schools, Cherry Hill Elementary and Vineyard Elementary, are held on SECURE status until the normal release time at 3:30 p.m.
2:40 p.m.: President Donald Trump posted that Charlie Kirk had passed away on Truth Social. Shortly after, Gov. Spencer Cox also confirmed that Kirk had died in a post on X.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” Trump shared in the post.
Statements began pouring in from local and national politicians following the news that Charlie Kirk had passed away.
3:02 p.m.: President Trump issued an order for all American flags in the U.S. to be lowered to half-mast through Sunday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. in honor of Charlie Kirk.
3:30 p.m.: Members of the Utah House of Representatives announced plans to hold a vigil at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda.
4:21 p.m.: FBI Director Kash Patel posted that the “subject for the horrific shooting today” is now in custody. He thanked local and state authorities in Utah for working with the FBI.
4:30 p.m.: During a press conference, authorities confirmed that Zinn was not the suspected shooter. Gov. Cox states that a different person of interest had been arrested and was being questioned by police.
During the press conference, Gov. Cox states that this is a political assassination and reminds Utahns that the death penalty is still an option in Utah.
UVU Police Chief Jeff Law stated there were roughly 3,000 attendees at the event, and six officers were working during it. Chief Law said they worked with Kirk’s security team ahead of the date, and plain-clothes officers were present in the crowd.
4:55 p.m.: Senator Daniel McCay (R-Utah) promised a “full inquiry into the security at the Charlie Kirk massacre.” He stated that he didn’t know how roofs weren’t being secured after the Trump assassination attempt.
5:59 p.m.: FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that the person of interest had been released after an interrogation. He stated that the investigation is continuing and promised to continue releasing updates.
7:00 p.m.: Utahns gathered at a vigil for Charlie Kirk at the Utah State Capitol.
7:54 p.m.: The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) stated that a manhunt is underway for the suspect who shot and killed Charlie Kirk. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect is still at large. Investigators believe that the shooting was a “targeted attack,” and that the shooter fired at Kirk from the roof of a building.
DPS also identified the first two suspects taken into custody, who investigators have found to have no ties to the shooting. George Zinn was the first individual taken into custody, and Zachariah Qureshi was the second individual taken into custody. They have both been released, and neither of these individuals has any ties to the shooting.
Sept. 11, 2025, 7 a.m.: DPS held a press conference to provide an update on the shooting. DPS Commissioner Beau Mason stated that the previous night, they moved Kirk’s body to the Utah State Office of the Medical Examiner. Mason asked the public not to harass the two persons of interest previously arrested and released.
Investigators have tracked the movements of the shooter across the rooftops and said he later jumped off the building and fled into a nearby neighborhood, Mason explained. He stated they have surveillance video, and the suspect blended in well with the college students.
Special FBI Agent Robert Bohls stated that they recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle in the woods and collected fingerprints from the firearm. He asked anyone with information to contact the FBI’s tipline. The FBI believes that there is no risk to the community.
8:45 a.m.: ABC4 spoke with the family of Qureshi, one of the persons of interest who was interrogated and released. His family calls the interrogation “absolutely uncalled for and insane.”
9:48 a.m.: DPS released pictures of the suspected shooter. They asked the public for help identifying the man. Those pictures are below. Anyone who may recognize him or have information about him is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
The FBI also has a digital tip line for information about the shooting, and you can access that tip line here.
10:02 a.m.: During a visit to the Pentagon for a 9/11 memorial ceremony, President Trump announced that he will posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
10:05 a.m.: Lt. Colonel Chris Kroeber confirmed that the Utah National Guard confirms that Vice President J.D. Vance will be arriving at the Utah Air National Guard Base to meet with Kirk’s family. Sources tell NewsNation that the Vice President and Second Lady will be escorting Kirk’s casket to Phoenix, AZ, aboard Air Force Two.
10:44 a.m.: The FBI announced on X that they will be offering a reward of up to 0,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspected shooter.
11:00 a.m.: Law enforcement arrested an unrelated male who went on the UVU campus and ignored the police crime tape. The man was reportedly taking photos and fled on foot when an agent ordered him to stop and attempted to identify him. He was apprehended and booked into the Utah County Jail for trespassing and obstruction of justice.
11:56 a.m.: A planned 12:45 p.m. press conference has been suspended due to “rapid developments” in the investigation.
2:28 p.m.: Vice President Vance and his wife arrived in Utah on Air Force Two to meet with the family of Charlie Kirk and transport his casket.
4:30 p.m.: After being in Utah for around two hours, Air Force Two departs from Utah. Charlie Kirk’s casket is flown to Phoenix, AZ.
6:06 p.m.: FBI Director Kash Patel arrived at UVU. DPS and the FBI released four additional photos of the suspected shooter on X.
7:40 p.m.: DPS and the FBI released additional video of the suspect at a press conference update on the investigation. Gov. Spencer Cox spoke, announcing that the FBI received over 7,000 tips in the investigation and reiterating that they will pursue the death penalty once the suspect is caught. FBI Director Cash Patel, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls, and Utah DPS Commissioner Beau Mason also attended.
You can watch the full presser below.
10:00 p.m.: FBI Director Kash Patel said they arrested a suspect.
Sept. 12, 2025, 6 a.m.: President Donald Trump claimed Friday morning that officials believe “with a high degree of certainty” that they have caught the suspect
7:30 a.m.: Officials provide an update on the latest on the investigation. Say they arrested 22-year-old Washington City resident Tyler Robinson.
“Investigators identified a roommate of Robinson. They said that Robinson had made a joke on Discord,” Gov. Cox stated.
“These photos consisted of various messages, including stating the need to recover the rifle from a drop point. The Rifle had a scope mounted on top of it.”
The inscription on the fired bullet casing read, “Notices Buldge, OwO. What’s this?” Inscriptions were also on three unfired casings. The first read, “‘Hey Fascist. Catch! (up arrow symbol, right arrow symbol, and three down arrow symbols).’ A second unfired casing read ‘Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao. A third unfired casing read ‘If you are reading this, you are GAY Lmao.'”
8:40 a.m.: Tyler Robinson was booked into Utah County Jail. He is being held without bail.
9:26 a.m.: Arrest documents obtained by ABC4 detailed more information about the suspect, Robinson, and what evidence investigators gathered to apprehend him.
9:10 a.m.: Utah State University confirmed that Robinson attended their school for one semester in 2021. Soon after, Dixie Technical College confirmed that Robinson was a current third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program.
11:24 a.m.: The Utah Board of Higher Education also confirmed that the suspect, Robinson, briefly attended USU and was a current student at Dixie Technical College. They also stated he earned credits through concurrent enrollment at Utah Tech University while in high school from 2019 to 2021. A neighbor says he graduated from Pine View High School.
3:24 p.m.: The Utah State Courts shared that Robinson’s initial court appearance will be on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. It will be a virtual hearing, and Robinson will appear remotely.
6:15 p.m.: Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, addressed the public for the first time since the murder of her husband. She expressed her gratitude to local and federal law enforcement for catching the suspected shooter and thanked President Trump and Vice President Vance for their support.
“You have no idea the fire you have ignited in his wife. The cries of this widow will echo throughout the world like a battle cry,” Erika Kirk said, addressing the shooter. She promised to ensure that Kirk’s legacy and mission will not die.
Anyone with information regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or send in an online tip at fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.
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