Tag: FBI

Who is Tyler Robinson? Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect Identified

Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect in Wednesday’s fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, and say he is in custody, ending a nationwide manhunt following the assassination.

Robinson had “become more political in recent years,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said during a Friday press conference. A family member told officials that Robinson came to dinner on September 10 and “mentioned Charlie Kirk was coming to [Utah Valley University].”

Cox said to the public, “This is certainly about the tragic death and assassination, political assassination of Charlie Kirk. But it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals.”

Cox confirmed that Robinson “was not a student here at UVU” and was “living and has been living for some time with his family in Washington County.”

Mugshot of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, released. Utah Governor’s Office

Since midday Wednesday, authorities had been searching for the shooter, who jumped from a roof and fled after firing at Kirk, according to the FBI. Prior to Robinson’s arrest, two people were briefly detained and then released on Wednesday. Officials received over 11,000 leads and tips on the matter, FBI Director Kash Patel said during a Friday press conference.

Why It Matters

Kirk was the co-founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative campus organization. He was a frequent political commentator, often speaking on college campuses and hosting media programs and conferences, as well as a close ally of President Donald Trump.

The shooting comes amid a broader climate of political violence across the United States. In June, Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in a targeted political act.

Lawmakers and prominent figures across the aisle have condemned the violence, including members of the Trump administration as well as Democrats. Trump has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff “in honor of Charlie Kirk” until 6 p.m. Sunday. The fatal attack has raised concerns about campus public-safety protocols, political violence, gun control and free speech.

Charlie Kirk Alleged Shooter: What We Know

On Friday morning, authorities publicly identified Robinson, a Utah local, as the suspected shooter, noting that they took him into custody on Thursday night.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason had described the suspect on Thursday as someone who “blended in well with the college institution.”

Newsweek identified Robinson’s mother as Amber Jones Robinson. She has posted several photos of her family, including Tyler, on her personal Facebook page. According to her Facebook page, she attended the University of Utah and is a social worker.

A photo of Tyler Robinson posted on his mother, Amber Jones Robinson’s, Facebook page. Facebook/Amber Jones Robinson

She and Tyler visited Utah State University in 2021.

“It was great to get some one on one time with this boy,” she wrote on Facebook. “Plus Aggie ice cream! I didn’t know that was a thing, but it’s great!”

In 2019, she posted a family photo that included three children and her partner. The family owns a home in Washington, Utah, approximately three and a half hours from Utah Valley University.

A family photo of the Robinsons from 2019 posted on Amber Jones Robinson’s Facebook page. Facebook/ Amber Jones Robinson

Before Robinson’s arrest, authorities had confirmed early Thursday that the suspected shooter was no longer in the wooded area where he had appeared to flee after the shooting. Investigators also had found a high-powered, bolt-action rifle along the suspected escape route.

Trump first said Friday morning during a live interview on Fox & Friends that the individual was turned in by his father and that law enforcement officials would confirm the arrest later in the day.

The FBI’s Salt Lake City field office released photos of the suspect on Thursday and asked the public for help identifying him.

Authorities stated that the suspect allegedly arrived on campus just before noon on Wednesday. Robinson is the third person of interest to have been taken into custody in relation to the shooting. The other two were released shortly after being questioned on Wednesday.

Where Was Charlie Kirk Shot?

Kirk was shot through the neck during a student Q&A at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Moments before Kirk was shot, he was answering a question about gun violence.

Following the shooting, he was transported to a local hospital and died. His body has been returned to his home state of Arizona and transported to a church ahead of a funeral service.

Several videos posted online show the event, including the moment the shot was fired and the subsequent bloodshed.

Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP

What Has Donald Trump Said About Charlie Kirk?

Trump, as well as other top admin officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others, posted on social media to honor Kirk and his legacy.

The president publicly announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, writing hours after the shooting: “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!”

In a statement Wednesday night, Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom.” He later said that he “will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Vance posted a long message in honor of Kirk on Wednesday night, writing, “Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him.”

His X post continued, “So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene. He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.”

The vice president and second lady Usha Vance traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, to pay respects to the family of Kirk and escort Kirk’s body to Arizona. The vice president helped carry Kirk’s casket onto Air Force Two for transport.

The Vances had originally planned to attend the annual 9/11 observance in New York City, but changed plans to go to Utah and escort Kirk’s casket.

What Happens Next

Robinson is held in custody in Utah. Memorial services for Kirk have not been announced yet. He is survived by his wife and two children.

The president said on Friday, “I hope he’s gonna be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did.” After Kirk’s shooting, Utah’s governor reminded the public that the state enforces the death penalty.

September 12, 2025
FBI Says Authorities Find Rifle Believed to Have Been Used in Fatal Shooting of Charlie Kirk

Investigators have found a rifle believed to have been used in the fatal shooting of conservative American political commentator Charlie Kirk, the FBI announced Thursday.

Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City field office, said the “high-powered bolt-action rifle” was recovered in a wooded area linked to the suspected shooter’s escape route.

“The FBI laboratory will be analyzing this weapon. Investigators have also collected footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis,” he told reporters.

Additional details on the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting were scarce as law enforcement continues to scour surveillance video footage, but authorities said the individual “appears to be of college age.”

“We do have good video footage of this individual. We’re not going to release that at this time. We’re working through some technologies and some ways to identify this individual. If we are unsuccessful, we will reach out to you as the media, and we will push that publicly to help us identify them,” Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said.

The investigation has so far been able to track the suspect’s movements starting roughly 30 minutes before Kirk was shot early Wednesday afternoon, Bohls said. Authorities believe the suspect arrived near the Utah Valley University campus at 11:52am, and made his way to the roof and to what Bohls described as a “shooting location.”

After the shooting, the suspect moved to the other side of the building, jumped down and made his way into a nearby neighborhood where investigators have sought home camera surveillance footage.

“We are investing everything we have into this, and we will catch this individual,” said Mason.

The Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI are leading the investigation alongside the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and local police departments.

Two people of interest were taken into custody in the aftermath of the shooting, but were later released after being cleared of suspicion. Both said both individuals faced “threats” after being released, and asked the public to”patient with the investigative proces.”

“These individuals were not suspects. They were people of interest. We asked that you do not impose into those people and that investigative process. They don’t deserve that harassment,” he said.

Kirk, 30, was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while addressing a crowd of thousands at the university’s outdoor quad in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Security at the event included six university police officers and Kirk’s private security team.

Videos posted online showed the apparent moment a bullet struck Kirk as he spoke from under a canopy, sending students fleeing in panic. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead hours later.

September 11, 2025
Who Is Dan Bongino? Everything About the Media Personality Appointed as FBI Deputy Director

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned conservative firebrand, is now the FBI’s deputy director—a surprising pick for a role typically held by career agents.

Known for his fierce loyalty to Donald Trump and his no-holds-barred media presence, Bongino built a massive following through his podcast and outspoken political commentary.

His appointment signals a major shift in FBI leadership, sparking both praise and controversy.

Will he bring a fresh perspective or deepen political divides? Here’s a closer look at the man now shaping America’s top law enforcement agency.

Introducing Dan Bongino: Podcaster Appointed as FBI Deputy Director

Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino is Trump’s choice for FBI deputy director. Bongino, now a conservative commentator, strongly supports Trump.

His views have earned him a huge following but also got him banned from YouTube for spreading misinformation.

Bongino, 50, hosts The Dan Bongino Show, a popular radio and podcast program. In January, industry analyst PodTrac ranked it the 7th most-listened-to podcast in the U.S.

Trump said Bongino is “willing and prepared” to leave his show for the FBI role.

The deputy director oversees domestic and international operations, a position usually held by career FBI agents.

Bongino has never worked for the FBI, though he previously served in the New York police department.

Early Life

Daniel John Bongino was born on December 4, 1974, in Queens, New York City. He is of Italian descent.

Bongino is an American conservative commentator, radio host, author, and former law enforcement officer.

Since 2025, he has served as the deputy director of the FBI. He currently hosts The Dan Bongino Show on Rumble. Previously, he hosted Unfiltered with Dan Bongino on Fox News until April 2023.

He started his career as a New York City police officer from 1995 to 1999. He then joined the U.S. Secret Service, serving from 1999 to 2011.

Bongino later ran for Congress three times as a Republican but lost each time. On February 23, 2025, President Donald Trump announced Bongino as the next FBI deputy director.

Education and Career Beginnings

Bongino graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, a Catholic all-male school in Jamaica, Queens, in 1992.

He then attended Queens College, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. He later earned an MBA from Pennsylvania State University.

From 1995 to 1999, Bongino worked as a police officer for the New York City Police Department.

In 1999, he joined the U.S. Secret Service as a special agent. In 2002, he left the New York Field Office to teach at the Secret Service Training Academy in Beltsville, Maryland.

In 2006, he joined the Presidential Protection Division during George W. Bush’s second term.

He continued serving under President Barack Obama until May 2011, when he left to run for the U.S. Senate.

Media Career

After his failed congressional run in 2015, Bongino started a podcast in his basement called The Renegade Republican, later renamed The Dan Bongino Show.

By 2016, his episodes—covering topics like media bias and liberal policies—were reaching millions.

In 2018, his bold style landed him a contract with NRATV, the National Rifle Association’s short-lived online channel.

That year, he declared, “My entire life right now is about owning the libs.” Trump took notice, often sharing Bongino’s comments on social media.

According to the Daily Beast, Trump once told a confidant, “He’s so right, he’s just so right about it all.”

In 2019, Bongino launched Bongino Report, a right-wing news aggregator meant as a pro-Trump alternative to Drudge Report.

His Facebook page soon gained more engagement than The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN combined, according to a 2020 New York Times report.

In 2021, Cumulus Media chose Bongino to replace the late Rush Limbaugh’s talk radio slot.

He also began hosting Unfiltered with Dan Bongino on Fox News and a five-part Fox Nation series on cancel culture called Canceled in the USA.

He left Fox News in April 2023 after failed contract negotiations.

Bongino still hosts his podcast and radio show, though Trump announced that Bongino is “willing and prepared” to leave them for his new role as FBI deputy director.

Personal Life

Bongino is married to Paula Andrea Martínez, who was born in Colombia. They have two daughters.

In 2012, he and his wife ran three home-based businesses. They sold martial arts apparel, designed websites, and provided security and risk management consulting.

While campaigning in 2016, Bongino avoided discussing his businesses. He claimed that he and his wife had already shut them down.

He lived in Severna Park, Maryland, from 2002 until 2015. That year, he moved to Palm City, Florida.

In June 2020, Bongino announced that he had bought an ownership stake in Parler, a social media platform. However, he did not reveal how much he invested.

Was Dan Bongino diagnosed with cancer?

On September 23, 2020, Bongino announced that doctors had found a seven-centimeter tumor in his throat.

He did not know if it was cancerous or benign but planned to fly to New York on September 25 for more tests.

On October 2, he shared that he had received bad news from his doctors and would undergo surgery on October 7.

After the surgery, he tweeted that doctors had removed the entire tumor but suspected he had lymphoma. He said he would need further treatment.

On October 16, Bongino confirmed he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and would continue treatment with his doctors.

In a July 2021 interview, he announced that he had “beaten” cancer.

February 24, 2025
FBI Discovers Around 2,400 Secret JFK Assassination Records: Report

The FBI discovered about 2,400 records tied to US President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, according to a report by Axios on Monday.

The still-secret records are contained in 14,000 pages of documents the FBI found in a review prompted by President Donald Trump’s Jan. 23 executive order to release all of JFK’s assassination records. The records were never provided through a task force that was supposed to review and disclose the documents, Axios reported.

Conspiracy theories about Kennedy’s Nov. 22, 1963 assassination at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas have been talked about for 61 years, fueled by the government’s reluctance to release all of the documents.

The existence of the new JFK documents was disclosed to the White House on Friday, and a further review of those records could reveal more information as to what happened in one of the most scrutinized tragedies in American history. The release of the new documents could also change the federal procedures for vetting and releasing information related to government events.

“This is huge. It shows the FBI is taking this seriously,” assassination expert Jefferson Morley told Axios.

Morley is also the vice president of the nonpartisan Mary Ferrell Foundation, the nation’s largest source of online records of Kennedy’s killing.

“The FBI is finally saying, ‘Let’s respond to the president’s order,’ instead of keeping the secrecy going,” added Morley.

Under the 1992 JFK Records Act, assassination records were supposed to be handed over to the JFK Assassination Records Review Board and then to the National Archives, which were to be fully disclosed in 2017 during Trump’s first term in the White House. However, the Axios report revealed that the newly discovered records had not been submitted or vetted by either of those entities.

At the advice of the CIA in 2017, Trump delayed disclosure of the records that the government had identified. President Joe Biden then ordered a limited release of the records, which continued to promote the public’s view of the government’s shroud of secrecy.

Experts say that the remaining records to be disclosed are unlikely to definitively prove whether Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole gunman who pulled the trigger or if he was part of a broader conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy, but it could put to rest the cover-up of documents that critics have blamed on the government for more than a half century.

Despite Trump’s order to release all of the JFK assassination records, sources told Axios that the various intelligence agencies with records of the assassination are still recommending redactions.

“When POTUS hears about this stonewalling, he’s gonna hit the roof,” a White House official told Axios.

Trump’s order also calls for the release of records related to the June 5, 1968 assassination of JFK’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), as well as the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. The records of both RFK and MLK are expected to be released by March 9.

February 10, 2025