Two days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the FBI announced the arrest of Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, in connection with the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. The capture ends an intense 48-hour search that had gripped the nation, while also shedding light on how the suspect’s own family helped bring him into custody.

At a press conference on September 12, Utah Governor Spencer Cox summed up the relief felt by investigators and citizens alike with three words: “We got him.”

But as new details emerged, the story of how Robinson was identified — and ultimately betrayed by those closest to him — has raised profound questions about political radicalization, family loyalty, and the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing tragedies like this one.

Governor Cox revealed that the investigation turned a corner when a family member of Robinson confided in a family friend, expressing concerns that Robinson had either confessed to or implied involvement in the assassination. That friend then contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, setting off a chain reaction of leads that investigators quickly followed. Read more below