Mr Robinson was identified by US authorities during a press conference on Friday afternoon
A Tyler Robinson mugshot issued by authorities
The man suspected of shooting Charlie Kirk during a debate at a US university has been named as Tyler Robinson.
Mr Robinson was identified by US authorities during a press conference on Friday afternoon, where it was confirmed he had been detained.
It comes after Mr Kirk, a conservative influencer, was shot dead as he gave a talk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
A picture of Mr Robinson, 22, was released as Utah governor Spencer Cox spoke to the media about the arrest. Speaking at the press conference Mr Cox said Mr Robinson had indicated to a family friend that he was responsible for the shooting.
He added that he had become “more political” in the run-up to the shooting and had earlier expressed to family his opposition to the viewpoints of the conservative activist.
Robinson is believed to have acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing, Mr Cox said.
Authorities recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle near the scene of the shooting and had said the shooter jumped off a roof and vanished into the nearby woods afterwards.
Engravings on bullets found in a rifle believed to have been used in the attack, as well as chatting app messages attributed to the shooting suspect that a roommate shared with law enforcement.
Mr Cox said Mr Robinson was not a student at Utah Valley University, where the shooting of Mr Kirk happened.
Mr Kirk was killed by a single shot to the neck, in what police said was a targeted attack and Utah’s governor called a political assassination.