Washington, D.C. – Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University (UVU), comes from a staunchly MAGA Republican family, his grandmother Debbie Robinson, 69, revealed to the Daily Mail on Friday.
Despite far-right figures like Steve Bannon and Elon Musk quickly blaming “leftist violence” for Kirk’s death, Debbie insisted her family is full of Trump supporters, with Tyler’s father, Matt Robinson, 48, a registered Republican who turned him in after a confession.
Tyler, a nonpartisan voter who recently became “more political” and expressed dislike for Kirk, was arrested late Thursday, in Washington County, Utah, ending a two-day manhunt. President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview today, called for the death penalty, stating, “I hope that he was going to be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty.”
The Arrest and Family Confession
Robinson, from Washington, Utah—a quiet suburb 250 miles south of UVU—was arrested around 10:00 p.m. MT on September 11 after confessing to his father, Matt, who contacted a family friend (a clergy member) who alerted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, per Gov. Spencer Cox at a September 12 press conference.
Matt, who runs a countertop installation business and holds hunting licenses, is a registered Republican and Trump supporter, per public records and Debbie’s statement.
Tyler’s mother, Amber Robinson, 44, a licensed social worker, is also a registered Republican; a Facebook post describes one of Tyler’s brothers as a “gun toting, cowboy loving, brilliant kid.”
Debbie told the Daily Mail, “My son, his dad, is a Republican for Trump. Most of my family members are Republican. I don’t know any single one who’s a Democrat.” She described Tyler as “the shyest person” who “has never, ever spoke politics to me at all” and “has never, ever gotten in trouble in his life,” expressing confusion: “I’m just so confused.”
Debbie has not spoken to Matt since the arrest. Tyler registered as a nonpartisan voter but hadn’t voted in recent elections, per Utah records; Cox noted he “had become more political in recent years” and mentioned Kirk’s UVU event at a family dinner, saying Kirk was “full of hate and spreading hate,” per a family member’s statement to investigators.
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice, all felonies, per a probable cause affidavit filed September 12 in Utah County Jail, where he is held without bail. He acted alone, per Cox, and was apprehended after a tip from his family friend.
Two earlier detainees were released without charges. A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered in woods near the scene, with bullet engravings from a satirical video game co-opted by far-right groups, not pro-trans as initially rumored, per The Guardian.
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Kirk, 31, a father of two and Turning Point USA co-founder, was shot in the neck at 12:20 p.m. MDT on September 10 during an outdoor event at UVU in Orem, attended by 3,000 students. The single shot from the Losee Center rooftop killed him.
Video shows Kirk recoiling as blood gushed, with security rushing him to a black SUV; he was pronounced dead at Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital. The FBI released photos of the college-age suspect on September 11, offering a $100,000 reward; the manhunt ended with Robinson’s arrest.
Trump’s initial Truth Social post at 12:45 p.m. called for prayers, followed by a national address blaming “radical left” rhetoric for “terrorism.” Far-right figures like Bannon called Kirk a “casualty of war,” Musk tweeted to “fight or die,” and Watters demanded accountability for “rats out there.” Former Presidents Biden, Obama, and Bush condemned violence.
Family Background and Motive
Public records confirm Matt and Amber as registered Republicans; Matt’s business in Washington, Utah, specializes in kitchen countertops, cabinets, and stone surfaces. The family holds hunting licenses, reflecting a conservative, gun-owning household.
Robinson’s roommate turned in incriminating Discord messages where Tyler detailed bullet engravings and a hidden rifle location, per Cox. Discord clarified the messages were post-shooting recounting of a note left elsewhere, not planned on their platform, and denied promoting violence, per Jud Hoffman, VP of Trust and Safety.
Cox thanked the family for “doing the right thing” in turning Tyler in. Robinson, in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College, had no prior convictions, per court records.
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On X, #TylerRobinson and #MAGAFamily trended with 200,000 posts. Supporters like @MagaStrong2026 posted, “Even from a MAGA family? Fake news—leftist brainwashing!” Critics @BlueWave2026 said, “MAGA hypocrisy exposed—family turned him in despite support.” Piers Morgan tweeted, “Charlie Kirk’s assassin Tyler Robinson killed him because he hated his opinions and thought he was a fascist. Yet ironically, HE was the fascist.”
The incident ties to Trump’s challenges: Epstein files, August jobs report, health rumors, Chicago post and mounting court losses. GOP rifts over Epstein risk midterms. EU Parliament rejected a minute of silence for Kirk on September 11, sparking protests.
Robinson’s trial, set for June 2026, could lead to life imprisonment or death if convicted, per Utah law. The family’s role in his arrest may mitigate some backlash, but the MAGA connection fuels irony amid far-right blame on the left.
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