What we know
- The suspect arrested and accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been identified by officials as 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson.
- Investigators interviewed a member of Robinson's family, who said he had become more political in recent years. The family member said Robinson recently told them that Kirk was coming to Utah Valley University and the pair discussed how they didn’t like Kirk and the viewpoints he held.
- Authorities said they recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” used in the shooting from a wooded area.
- Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is planning to file formal charges against the suspect on Tuesday, according to a statement from his office.
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911 calls reveal panic after UVU shooting
Audio from 911 calls obtained by NBC News paint a picture of the panic that unfolded in the moments after Kirk was shot Wednesday.
Emergency operators in Utah released audio of 20 calls they received Wednesday between 12:24 and 12:57 p.m. local time in response to a records request from NBC News.
One caller said Kirk was shot in the neck and rushed off in a black SUV that at one point stopped abruptly.
"Right in the neck so I don’t think he has long," he said.
“I saw everything,” the man replies, sounding out of breath.
When asked where the shooter went the caller said he had "no clue" but that Kirk "was facing the courtyard and the shot hit the left of his neck.”
Another call was from a father who reported his daughter was at UVU and told him there was an active shooter.
“She was pretty hysterical but sounds like she’s in a building with a bunch of other people now. But she said she doesn’t think that they’ve gotten him yet,” the father told dispatch.
Another call came from a distressed mother whose daughter told her there was a shooting.
“Do I dare text her because her phone will make noise, right?” the mother said.
“At this point, it’s probably alright, but it’s your decision,” the operator said, reassuring her that police and emergency services were already on the way.
One person called dispatch reporting his friend was hiding by herself in a closet in a campus building.
“She’s just in the closet she doesn’t have any cell phone service so she just wants to make sure if she should stay there?” the caller said. Dispatch told the caller to tell the friend to stay put as the school was on lockdown.
Suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing had a new interest in politics and a ‘squeaky clean’ reputation
The “squeaky clean” “considerate” kid who grew up in a family that celebrated his academic wins and time together in their suburban Utah community is now accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Tyler Robinson’s arrest today after a days-long manhunt shocked his community and family.
His grandmother, Debbie Robinson, who spoke with NBC News before her grandson’s name was made public, said she talks to her family every day and was not aware that her 22-year-old grandson, who she described as “squeaky clean,” had attended the event at Utah Valley University where Kirk was killed.
Robinson, an electrical apprentice, had developed a recent interest in politics, officials said. People in his community near St. George in conservative Southern Utah said that wasn’t typical of his family.
Iowa county leader says it will defy governor's order to fly flags at half-staff
The chairman of the board of supervisors in Johnson County, Iowa, said the county will defy an order from state Gov. Kim Reynolds to fly flags at half-staff in memory of Kirk.
The chairman, Jon Green, said in a post on Facebook last night that Kirk did not encourage inclusivity.
"I condemn Kirk’s killing, regardless of who pulled the trigger or why," Green stated. "But I will not grant Johnson County honors to a man who made it his life’s mission to denigrate so many of the constituents I have sworn an oath to protect, and who did so much to harm not only the marginalized, but also to degrade the fabric of our body politic."
Green said he made the decision under his own authority.
“Any blowback belongs to me alone, and I accept that,” he said in an interview with NBC News today.
Green said he made the decision to fly county flags at half staff in mourning for Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman in June, after she was killed in a politically motivated assassination, criticizing the governor because she “said nothing” of the incident.
“I stand by that determination and I stand by the decision I made today,” he said, adding “the governor knows where to find me.”
In a statement Wednesday, Reynold's office ordered flags to be flown at half-staff “as a mark of respect in memory of Charlie Kirk." It's not clear if the order, which extends from Wednesday through Sunday, applies to Johnson County and other counties.
In the statement, the governor's office said the Capitol and Capitol Complex will fly flags at half-staff, as well as "all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state." However, the statement also indicates county governments can decide on their own.
"Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect," the governor's office said.
Today, Reynolds suggested Green's decision was not befitting the moment.
"It’s disgraceful that a locally-elected official has chosen to put politics above human decency during a time like this," she said on X.
Reynolds' office did not respond to a request for comment.
Johnson County is the home of the University of Iowa and has a population of approximately 153,360, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Teen describes past encounters with suspect
Josh Kemp, 18, lives in a townhome in a building diagonally across from the home that authorities have been searching all day.
He said he had once said hello in passing to the suspect and once, the suspect almost clipped him with his car when Kemp was on a e-bike. He said the suspect did not say anything that time.
Kemp said he and four other members of his ward of his church, which is Mormon, tried to minister to him at the apartment, but the suspect told them to “F off.”
Kemp, a fan of Kirk's, said he wishes he’d known the suspect’s plans because he would have tried to prevent him from carrying them out.
“I definitely wish I had tackled him right there,” Kemp said referring to the encounter at the door.
After Kirk’s death, teachers and professors nationwide fired or disciplined over social media posts
Following Kirk's assassination this week, educators across the country have found themselves facing swift termination or potential discipline after allegedly sharing opinions on social media about the killing.
At least a dozen faculty and staff, from school board officials to classroom teachers, have been met with fallout over insensitive posts about Kirk’s death. In at least two instances, universities fired staff members entirely for posts deemed inappropriate.
Many other educators have been suspended or are under investigation, and the number is likely to grow as conservative online influencers share screenshots.
At East Tennessee State University, two faculty members have been placed on administrative leave pending further review, school spokesperson Jess Vodden said. Complaints sent to the university included screenshots of Facebook comments, according to copies the school shared with NBC News, that one faculty member allegedly made in response to Kirk’s death, including “you reap what you sow.” Another allegedly wrote, “This isn’t a tragedy. It’s a victory.”
Erika Kirk says Turning Point USA events, her husband's podcast will go on
Erika Kirk said Turning Point USA events will continue as scheduled.
Charlie Kirk was on the group's America Comeback Tour when he was assassinated. The tour will continue after his death, his widow said.
The next stop is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
A key feature of the tour was Charlie Kirk's "Prove Me Wrong Table," at which he would debate anyone. It's not clear who might take that role, if the feature continues.
The tour is scheduled through Oct. 29, with more dates expected.
America Fest, an event scheduled for Dec. 18-21 in Phoenix, will also take place, Erika Kirk said.
“It will be greater than ever," she said.
She also said her late husband's signature, eponymous podcast will also carry on.
Movement Charlie Kirk started 'will not die' with him, widow says
Erika Kirk vowed tonight to continue her husband's legacy.
"The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t I refuse to let that happen. It will not die," Kirk said. "All of us will refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name, and I will make sure of it."
She added that her late husband's organization wouldn't back down on campus tours following her husband's death at such an event on a college campus this week.
"There will be even more tours in the years to come," she said.
Charlie Kirk 'wearing the glorious crown of the martyr,' wife says
Erika Kirk described her late husband as a martyr in her remarks tonight.
Charlie Kirk, she said, is now "wearing the glorious crown of the martyr."
Erika Kirk says her husband 'loved' Trump
Erika Kirk expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and his family, saying "my husband loved you," in tonight's address.
Trump said during a Fox News interview earlier today that he spoke with Kirk yesterday and that she was “devastated” by her husband’s death.
Erika Kirk thanks first responders who tried to save husband's life
In her first public remarks since her husband was assassinated Wednesday, Erika Kirk expressed gratitude to law enforcement who tried to ensure no further risk existed as medical first responders tried to save his life.
She also said law enforcement has provided security for her family in the time since the shooting.
"I want to thank the officers who have protected out Turning Point USA family these past few days," Kirk said.
She also thanked Turning Point USA staffers, including the group's chief of staff, Michael McCoy.
