The suspect in the Charlie Kirk investigation has been identified and arrested, with authorities also revealing the words engraved on the bullet casings recovered from the fatal shooting.
Kirk — a far-right political commentator and supporter of US President Donald Trump — was shot dead while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Thursday.
In the wake of his death, eyewitnesses recounted the scene and the FBI offered a $150,000 (AUD) reward for information amid the manhunt, with the latter development culminating in the recent arrest of lead suspect Tyler Robinson.
The arrest of the 22-year-old Utah man came after he reportedly indicated he was responsible for the shooting to a family member, who then encouraged him to turn himself in to authorities.
Per the ABC, Robinson has not yet been formally charged, but an affidavit shows he was arrested for aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, and obstruction of justice. Utah authorities plan to file formal charges next week.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced Robinson’s arrest during a press conference, shortly after Trump hinted at the development and called for him to receive the death penalty during a TV interview.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we got him,” Cox said during the press conference.
Some additional details about Robinson were revealed, including that his father convinced him to surrender to authorities after consulting a youth pastor following Robinson’s confession.
While no solid motive has been identified, Cox said Robinson had become “more political” in the lead up to Kirk’s shooting, and had talked disparagingly about the commentator during a family dinner earlier this month.
Cox later said in a TV interview that the state of Utah will be seeking the death penalty for Robinson.
Cox also read aloud the messages inscribed on the bullet casings found alongside the rifle that is believed to be the murder weapon.
“Hey fascist, catch,” one casing read, while another said, “If you read this, you are gay LMAO?”. A third is believed to be a reference to an anti-fascist Italian folk song, and read: “Oh, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Ciao”.
Another casing, from the bullet actually fired during the shooting, said “Notices, bulges, OwO what’s this?”. OwO is internet slang to describe awkward or over-the-top online flirting, and is associated with furry and roleplay communities.
Charlie Kirk’s death has ignited a firestorm of commentary from both sides of the political aisle, and is one of multiple cases of political violence to have taken place in the US in recent times.
Lead images: Office of the Governor of Utah via Getty Images and Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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