Charlie Kirk's Suspected Assassin Arrested, Identified as 22-Year-Old Utah Resident Tyler Robinson

Authorities have arrested Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin: Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident. President Donald Trump teased the arrest during a Friday appearance on Fox & Friends, saying, "I think with a high degree of certainty, we have him." Trump said that the suspect's father reported his son to "a minister who was involved with law enforcement."

The post Charlie Kirk's Suspected Assassin Arrested, Identified as 22-Year-Old Utah Resident Tyler Robinson appeared first on .

Charlie Kirk assassination timeline: What we know so far



In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus Wednesday, a clearer and more substantive timeline has been developing as officials gather additional information about the shooting and continue a manhunt for the shooter.

What happened Wednesday?

KTVX-TV reported that Kirk’s American Comeback Tour commenced at noon local time at Utah Valley University in Orem, which is about 10 minutes north of Provo and about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City.

Mason said the individual they're after 'blended in well' with the university and 'appears to be of college age.'

The station said Kirk was hosting a “Prove Me Wrong” table in the UVU courtyard. As was typical for the TPUSA founder and his events on college campuses, Wednesday's event took place outside, and anyone was invited to debate him and ask questions. KTVX reported that around 3,000 people attended the event.

Around 12:20 p.m., Kirk — who was seated under a tent — was in the middle of a question-and-answer exchange when he was struck by a bullet, the New York Times reported. Kirk was hit in the neck, blood gushed from the wound, and he slumped from his seated position. As those in attendance scattered and took cover, Kirk was rushed to a local hospital.

RELATED: Charlie Kirk: Loving father, fearless communicator, happy warrior — 1993-2025

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 in Orem, Utah. Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images

At 12:42 p.m., UVU sent an alert stating that a suspect was in custody and police were investigating, KTVX said.

RELATED: Leftists show their true colors after Charlie Kirk is shot — and it's absolutely sickening

Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images

By 1:10 p.m., a UVU spokesperson confirmed that Kirk was shot but said his condition was unknown, KTVX noted, adding that the spokesperson said a suspect actually was not in custody.

At 1:37 p.m., UVU announced that the campus was closed and classes were canceled until further notice, KTVX reported, adding that all students were ordered to leave the school immediately.

At 2:40 p.m., President Donald Trump confirmed that Kirk was dead, KTVX said. Trump announced the following on Truth Social, "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!"

The Associated Press said a single shot was fired from a rooftop. UVU spokeswoman Ellen Treanor told the Wall Street Journal, "We think the shot was fired from the Losee Center building, which is about 200 yards from the courtyard where Charlie Kirk was speaking."

RELATED: Police: We have images of suspected Charlie Kirk assassin

Photo by Kadri Suat Celik/Anadolu via Getty Images

FBI Director Kash Patel later on Wednesday posted the following updates on X, after which the AP complained on its live feed that "it wasn’t immediately clear whether anyone remained in custody, or if the shooter was still at large as law enforcement provided evolving and difficult-to-reconcile information."

— (@)

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said at a news conference Thursday morning that "a couple of persons of interest were located" in the shooting aftermath. However, after officials interviewed them, Mason said they were cleared of suspicion and were released. Mason urged the public "to be patient with the investigative process" and said the pair unjustly "faced scrutiny" and "threats" and "don't deserve that harassment."

KTVX said George Zinn was the first individual taken into custody and Zachariah Qureshi was the second individual taken into custody; the station echoed Mason's report, saying both of them were released. However, the New York Times, citing officials, said Zinn was booked and accused of obstruction of justice.

By 7:54 p.m., the Utah Department of Public Safety confirmed that a manhunt was under way for the shooting suspect, KTVX said.

What has happened so far Thursday?

At Thursday morning's news conference, Mason said Kirk's body was "moved to the state office of the medical examiner" on Wednesday night and that "we'll continue to facilitate movements to get him home today with his family."

Mason also announced some "breakthroughs" in the investigation.

He said officials were able to track the shooting suspect's movements starting at 11:52 a.m. Wednesday when the individual arrived on campus — and all the way through "stairwells" and to the roof "across from the shooting location." Mason said the individual "jumped off" the building and "fled" from the campus and "into a neighborhood."

Mason added that investigators spoke to people in the neighborhood to see if any of them have doorbell cameras.

He also emphasized that "we have good video" of the individual in question but that it won't be released "at this time." Mason said investigators are using technology to identify the shooting suspect and that "we will catch this individual."

Around 10 a.m. local time Thursday, the FBI in Salt Lake City posted the following on X:

— (@)

Robert Bohls, FBI special agent in charge at the Salt Lake City Field Office, added during Thursday morning's news conference that investigators "recovered" what they believe "is the weapon" used in Kirk's assassination. Bohls said it's a "high-powered, bolt-action rifle" found in a "wooded area" and that an FBI lab is analyzing it.

Bohls also said a "footwear impression, palm print, and forearm imprints" are being analyzed as well. He also said members of the public can submit their own "video or images" related to the shooting to the agency's digital media website — www.fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting — or call 800-CALL-FBI.

Mason said the individual they're after "blended in well" with the university and "appears to be of college age."

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DHS directs $110 million in FEMA funds to protect 'faith-based' groups following Minnesota atrocity



President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to protect and bolster funding for Christian communities across the country in the aftermath of the atrocious Minnesota shooting that took place on Wednesday.

The latest effort from the administration comes from the Department of Homeland Security, where Secretary Kristi Noem pledged to direct $110 million of FEMA funds to more than 600 "faith-based" organizations across America.

'We are using this money to protect American communities — especially places where people gather in prayer.'

These funds are being administered through FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program so that churches and faith groups can invest in security enhancements such as "cameras, warning and alert systems, gates and lighting, access control systems, and training programs for staff."

"In the face of violent criminals and radical organizations intent on hurting American communities, the Trump Administration is helping houses of worship, schools, and community centers to harden their defenses against attacks and protect themselves," Noem wrote in a post on X.

RELATED: Tone-deaf Democrats lash out over prayers for Christians murdered in devastating Minnesota shooting

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

This announcement comes just days after 23-year-old Robert Westman, a man who claimed to be a woman, fired into Annunciation Catholic Church and School on Wednesday morning, killing 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. A total of 14 children and three adults were also wounded during the service when Westman fired into the pews.

Minnesota Catholic schools had previously pleaded with Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to increase security prior to the horrific shooting, but they were ultimately ignored.

In a 2023 letter, Minnesota Catholic Conference Executive Director Jason Adkins and Minndependent President Tim Benz asked Walz to ensure that nonpublic religious schools were allocated funding to increase school security, but Walz failed to follow through. This plea came after a transgender individual killed three 9-year-old children and three adults at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The latest school shooting at a nonpublic Christian school in Tennessee sadly confirms what we already know – our schools are under attack,” the letter reads. “In Minnesota, nonpublic schools, particularly our Jewish and Muslim schools, have experienced increased levels of threats, all of which we must take very seriously.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Walz's office gave Blaze News the following statement: "The governor cares deeply about the safety of students and has signed into law millions in funding for school safety. Our office met with them, and the governor meets with the Catholic Conference on a regular basis. Private schools do indeed receive state funding. We remain committed to working with anyone who is willing to work with us to stop gun violence and keep our students safe."

Blaze News has asked the governor's office for proof of such payments.

RELATED: Attacks against American Catholics and churches are out of control

Photo by TOM BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

The administration has taken these threats seriously. Within days, the FBI announced that agents are investigating the shooting as an anti-Catholic hate crime, and the DHS has redirected funds to address threats facing Christian communities across America.

"Instead of using grant money to fund climate change initiatives and political pet projects, we are using this money to protect American communities — especially places where people gather in prayer," Noem said.

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Don’t Say Trans: How Mainstream Media Outlets Referred to Minneapolis’s Transgender School Shooter

The transgender perpetrator of Wednesday's attack on a Catholic church and school in Minneapolis, Robin Westman, was born Robert but changed his name at 17 years old because he identified as a female, court records show. Here's how mainstream media reports described him.

The post Don’t Say Trans: How Mainstream Media Outlets Referred to Minneapolis’s Transgender School Shooter appeared first on .

FBI investigating atrocious Minnesota shooting as anti-Catholic hate crime



FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday that the bureau is investigating Wednesday's atrocious shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime against Catholics.

The shooter, who was later identified as Robin Westman, took aim at mass attendees, including school children and faculty, through the stained-glass windows at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Westman viciously murdered two children, ages 8 and 10, injured 17 others, and later took his own life in the parking lot of the church.

'This deranged monster targeted our most vulnerable.'

The FBI also confirmed that Robin was a male who was originally named Robert Westman at birth. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Westman was a 22 year-old man "claiming to be transgender."

"The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics," Patel wrote in a post on X.

RELATED: Dead Minnesota church shooting suspect identified. Video suggests he was transgender and anti-Trump.

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

"There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old," Patel added. "In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured."

"The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman. The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able."

The shooting took place while students attended Mass at 8:15 a.m.

RELATED: Gunman opens fire at Catholic church; police say there are about 20 victims

Photo by TOM BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

"This deranged monster targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year," Noem wrote in a post on X. "This deeply sick murderer scrawled the words ‘For the Children’ and ‘Where is your God?’ and ‘Kill Donald Trump’ on a rifle magazine."

"This level of violence is unthinkable. Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere. We mourn with them, we pray for healing, and we will never forget them."

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FBI settles for retaliating against 8 whistleblowers who exposed bureau corruption



The FBI has signed settlement agreements with Garret O’Boyle, Steve Friend, and six other FBI whistleblowers that will provide them with back pay, lump-sum damage payments, restoration of their security clearances, and, in some of the cases, reinstatement to jobs with the bureau.

O’Boyle and Friend were among eight remaining whistleblowers whose settlements were announced Tuesday by Empower Oversight, which represented the current and former FBI employees in their retaliation cases. Two other settlements were previously announced on Aug. 1 and in 2024 under the Biden administration.

‘This settlement closes a painful chapter for my family and me.’

“Whistleblowers risk it all for the sake of simply telling the truth. These 10 whistleblowers’ brave actions were met with intense bureaucratic blowback that caused severe financial and emotional hardship,” said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who helped mediate between the FBI and the whistleblowers.

“Their lives were upended for years, but I never stopped fighting until things were made right,” Grassley said.

The whistleblower saga has been a black eye for the FBI. Many expected the cases to be resolved quickly after the election of President Donald J. Trump. FBI Director Kash Patel has come under increasing fire for not getting agreements in place sooner to bring justice for the aggrieved whistleblowers.

RELATED: Is the FBI salvageable? Here's what bureau insiders have to say

Former Special Agent Steve Friend was a member of the Omaha FBI SWAT team and investigated human trafficking cases.Photo courtesy of Steve Friend

Four of the eight whistleblowers will voluntarily retire as part of the agreement package. Three — O’Boyle, Friend, and Zachery Schoffstall — will be reinstated at the FBI. One other remained at the FBI during her case.

“I am grateful to finally see a measure of resolution in my case,” O’Boyle told Blaze News in a statement. “This settlement closes a painful chapter for my family and me, but it does not erase the years of retaliation, reputational harm, and financial hardship that we endured simply because I told the truth.”

Tuesday marked day 1,065 of O’Boyle’s unpaid suspension that will come to a close with his reinstatement.

‘The work to combat weaponization and whistleblower retaliation is far from over.’

Friend said he also “signed the deal,” some 20 months after he resigned from the bureau just before giving sworn whistleblower testimony to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. He said the victory will not mean much if the FBI continues its punishment of whistleblowers.

“While this reinstatement is a vindication about the retaliation I experienced, the victory will ring hollow if the FBI engages in similar retribution against future whistleblowers,” Friend told Blaze News in a statement. “I pray we see the necessary changes to ensure justice for anyone willing to come forward with reasonable concerns about the agency.” The news of settlements is huge vindication for the FBI whistleblowers, all of whom faced varying types and degrees of retribution for making legally protected disclosures.

Friend refused to take part in an FBI SWAT raid at the home of a misdemeanor Jan. 6 suspect, saying the heavy use of force wasn’t justified in the case. O’Boyle made disclosures on COVID-19 shots and policies, the establishment of a tag for investigating parents who attend local school board meetings, and nearly two dozen other issues.

Blaze News has reached out to the FBI for comment.

RELATED: Going rogue? FBI agent gathered information from private citizens questioning Rep. Cory Mills’ record

FBI whistleblowers Garret O’Boyle, Steve Friend, and Marcus Allen testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in May 2023.Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Monica Shillingburg, who now works at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services, reported potentially illegal restructuring being carried out at the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. She was removed and reassigned for reporting her concerns.

Michael Zummer, a former special agent, lost his security clearance after he reported potential prosecutorial misconduct in public corruption cases in New Orleans.

“For each of these cases where whistleblowers finally received at least some measure of justice for the retaliation they faced just for telling the truth about wrongdoing, there are many more who still need a remedy,” wrote Tristan Leavitt and Jason Foster, president and founder of Empower Oversight, in a letter to Grassley.

“There are more who still have no remedy and no justice,” the men wrote. “The work to combat weaponization and whistleblower retaliation is far from over.”

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Never Trumpers Who Cheered Mar-A-Lago Raid Melt Down At Search Of Bolton’s House

The FBI searched the home of former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton on Friday, reportedly in relation to Bolton’s alleged possession of classified documents. Unsurprisingly, the same people who had no problem when the FBI raided the home of President Donald Trump are melting down. Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security adviser to Vice President […]

'NO ONE is above the law': FBI raids former national security adviser John Bolton's home



Within minutes of FBI Director Kash Patel tweeting on Friday morning, "NO ONE is above the law... FBI agents on mission," federal agents raided the D.C.-area home of John Bolton, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser.

A Trump administration official told the New York Post that federal agents stormed Bolton's Bethesda, Maryland, house at 7 a.m. on Patel's orders.

The raid is in connection to a probe reportedly involving classified documents that was launched years ago but torpedoed by President Joe Biden's administration for "political reasons," according a top U.S. official.

The Department of Justice during Trump's first term opened a criminal investigation in 2020 into whether Bolton disclosed classified information in his book, "The Room Where It Happened," after first proving unable to stop the publication of the book with a lawsuit.

The case was referred to the DOJ by then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe.

Trump noted in June 2020, "Washed up Creepster John Bolton is a lowlife who should be in jail, money seized, for disseminating, for profit, highly Classified information. Remember what they did to the young submarine sailor, but did nothing to Crooked Hillary. I ended up pardoning him — It wasn’t fair!"

In his book and during various media appearances since its publication, Bolton has viciously attacked the president, suggesting, for instance, that Trump is "unfit to be president" and claiming, "Trump really cares only about retribution for himself, and it will consume much of a second term."

Shortly after the raid commenced, a tweet — which may have been pre-scheduled — appeared on Bolton's X account, stating, "Russia has not changed its goal: drag Ukraine into a new Russian Empire. Moscow has demanded that Ukraine cede territory it already holds and the remainder of Donetsk, which it has been unable to conquer. Zelensky will never do so. Meanwhile, meetings will continue because Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize, but I don't see these talks making any progress."

This is a developing story.

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