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Category Archives: WPTF News

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination expressed opposition to conservative activist’s views

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination expressed opposition to conservative activist’s views

By ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, JESSE BEDAYN and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press

OREM, Utah (AP) — The man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk had expressed opposition to the conservative activist’s views and indicated that he was responsible for the shooting, authorities said Friday as they announced an arrest in the killing that raised fresh alarms about political violence in a deeply polarized United States.

Tyler Robinson, 22, had become “more political” in the run-up to the shooting and mentioned during a dinner with family that Kirk would be visiting Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox told a news conference. The governor cited as evidence engravings on bullet casings found in the rifle that authorities believe was used in the attack, as well as chat app messages attributed to the suspect that a roommate shared with law enforcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we got him,” Cox told a news conference soon after the arrest was first heralded by President Donald Trump on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends.”

Robinson, who was from Utah, is believed to have acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing, Cox said. He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses. He was expected to be formally charged early next week ahead of an initial court appearance.

Robinson’s arrest late Thursday capped a frenetic day-and-a-half search that just hours earlier seemed stuck when authorities pleaded for tips and leads from the public. The assassination captivated the public not only because of Kirk’s outsize influence in conservative political circles and his close connections with Trump but also because of the pressing questions it raised about the escalating toll of political violence that has spanned the ideological spectrum.

“This is our moment: Do we escalate or do we find an off-ramp?” Cox asked, making an impassioned plea for young people to bridge differences through common ground rather than violence. “It’s a choice.”

New details on evidence

Authorities have yet to reveal a motive, but they did describe evidence they said shed potential light on the slaying.

That includes engravings on bullet casings recovered from the high-powered rifle believed used in the attack, including one that said, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” Cox said.

In addition, a roommate shared with authorities messages from the chatting app Discord that involved a contact named Tyler and discussed a rifle wrapped in a towel, engraved bullets and a scope, the governor said. A Mauser .30-caliber, bolt-action rifle was found in a towel in a wooded area along the path investigators believe Robinson took after firing a shot from a distant roof and then fleeing.

The clothes the suspect wore when confronted by law enforcement late Thursday were consistent with what he had on when he arrived on campus a day earlier, and a family member confirmed that a drove a grey Dodge Challenger that surveillance video captured him driving to the universities, Cox said.

Robinson’s father recognized him from the photos released by the FBI and told him to turn himself in. Robinson refused at first, but then changed his mind, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. His father reached out for help to their youth pastor, who also occasionally works with the U.S. Marshals and called the agency so he could turn himself in.

Meanwhile, investigators continued to dig into the background of Robinson, who was admitted to Utah State University on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter posted to a family member’s social media account. However, he attended for only one semester in 2021, a university spokesperson said.

Robinson’s address was still listed as his parent’s home, and he is registered as an unaffiliated voter, according to Utah state records. He does not appear to have a prior criminal record. The family lives in a suburb of the city of St. George in southern Utah, about a 3.5-hour drive south of the Utah Valley University campus where Kirk was shot.

Family members of Robinson did not immediately return messages seeking comment. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.

‘He didn’t deserve this’

Kirk was a conservative provocateur who became a powerful political force by rallying young Republican voters and was a fixture on college campuses, where he invited sometimes-vehement debate on social issues.

Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona. He had had been speaking at a campus debate on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour,” at the time of Wednesday’s shooting.

He was taking questions from an audience member about gun violence. when suddenly a shot rang out. Kirk reached up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasped and screamed before people started running away.

Trump, who was joined by Democrats in condemning the violence, said he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, visited with Kirk’s family Thursday in Salt Lake City. Vance posted a remembrance on X chronicling their friendship, dating back to initial messages in 2017, through Vance’s Senate run and the 2024 election.

“He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump said Friday. “He was really a good person.”

___

Tucker and Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver; Michael Biesecker, Brian Slodysko, Lindsay Whitehurst and Michelle L. Price in Washington; Ty O’Neil in Orem, Utah; Hallie Golden in Seattle; and Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., contributed to this report.

Trump approves federal disaster aid for storms and flooding in 6 states

Trump approves federal disaster aid for storms and flooding in 6 states

President Donald Trump has approved federal disaster aid for six states and tribes following storms and floods this spring and summer. The disaster declarations, announced Thursday, will provide federal funding to Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, as well as tribes in Montana and South Dakota. In most cases, it took Trump over a month to approve the aid requests, continuing a trend of longer waits for disaster relief. An Associated Press analysis shows delays in approving federal disaster aid have grown over time. The White House says Trump is providing a more thorough review of requests.… Continue Reading

Analyst Matthew Dowd loses his MSNBC job following his Charlie Kirk commentary

Analyst Matthew Dowd loses his MSNBC job following his Charlie Kirk commentary

Veteran political analyst Matthew Dowd is out of a job at MSNBC following some commentary regarding Charlie Kirk that drew a heated reaction. After a gunman killed the conservative activist Wednesday, Dowd said Kirk was a divisive figure and that “hateful words” can lead to “hateful actions.” MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler apologized for “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable” commentary. Dowd later apologized online, saying he did not intend for his comments to blame Kirk for the shooting. MSNBC later said Dowd “is no longer with the network.” The one-time aide to President George W. Bush and longtime ABC News analyst had been with MSNBC since 2022.… Continue Reading

Former NC A&T athlete among 13 former NCAA basketball players under investigation for sports betting violations

Former NC A&T athlete among 13 former NCAA basketball players under investigation for sports betting violations

The NCAA is investigating potential sports betting violations involving 13 former men’s basketball players from six schools. The schools themselves are not under investigation. The NCAA’s integrity program flagged unusual betting activities, including athletes betting on their own games and sharing information for betting purposes. The NCAA Committee on Infractions has resolved similar cases, permanently revoking the eligibility of three players from Fresno State and San Jose State for manipulating game outcomes. The NCAA will not name the athletes involved until the investigation concludes. NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the need for stricter regulations to address integrity risks.… Continue Reading

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims. At the World Trade Center site in New York City, the nearly 3,000 victims’ names were being read aloud Thursday. At the Pentagon in Virginia, a memorial service honored the 184 service members and civilians killed. And near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony honored the victims of Flight 93. The remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions. The 9/11 anniversary comes a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a college in Utah.… Continue Reading

Charlie Kirk’s killer blended in on Utah university campus, and a high-powered rifle is recovered

Charlie Kirk’s killer blended in on Utah university campus, and a high-powered rifle is recovered

OREM, Utah (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’ll posthumously award conservative activist and ally Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump said Thursday he remains shocked by the horror of Kirk’s assassination on a Utah university campus where he was speaking Wednesday. The Republican president praises Kirk’s impact on conservative politics, calling him “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration” to millions of people. Law enforcement officials say the sniper who assassinated Kirk has not been identified and is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled into a neighborhood after firing one shot. The FBI said Thursday officials have recovered a high-powered rifle from the scene.… Continue Reading

Panthers encouraged by rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan’s performance in season opener

Panthers encouraged by rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan’s performance in season opener

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have found promise in first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan. Coach Dave Canales said McMillan met expectations in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although McMillan caught six passes for 58 yards, his speed and handling of assignments impressed the team. He also drew a defensive pass interference, contributing to a 22-yard gain. Despite a missed one-handed catch in the end zone, McMillan remains confident. His performance reassured the Panthers about trading veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan returns to his college grounds on Sunday when the Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals, aiming to build on his debut.… Continue Reading

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot in act of ‘political assassination’ at Utah college

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot in act of ‘political assassination’ at Utah college

OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has been shot and killed at a Utah college event in an act that the state’s governor called a “political assassination.” A “person of interest” was in custody Wednesday evening, said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, though no charges were immediately announced. Utah authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away. The death was announced on social media by Trump, who praised the 31-year-old Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, as “Great, and even Legendary.”… Continue Reading

Previous charges, delayed mental health evaluation were missed opportunities in Charlotte stabbing

Previous charges, delayed mental health evaluation were missed opportunities in Charlotte stabbing

After Decarlos Brown Jr. was arrested for the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee aboard a North Carolina commuter train, he was quickly sent to a state mental hospital for an evaluation. That’s a sharp contrast from a January arrest, where it took more than six months for a court to order a mental evaluation after Brown told officers that he had been given a human-made substance that controlled him. The January arrest was just one of the missed opportunities in Brown’s criminal history, according to experts. He had cycled through the criminal justice system for more than a decade. He now faces federal and state charges in the Aug. 22 killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska,… Continue Reading

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ex-Vice President Kamala Harris says it was reckless for Democrats to let President Joe Biden decide whether to seek reelection last year. But in an excerpt of Harris’ new book she defends Biden’s ability to do the job. In an excerpt of “107 Days” published Wednesday in The Atlantic, Harris writes it was “recklessness” that she and others left the decision about Biden continuing his campaign up to him and first lady Jill Biden. It’s the first time Harris has been publicly critical of Biden’s decision to run again. Biden eventually dropped out after a disastrous debate performance and was replaced by Harris, who lost to Republican Donald Trump. Biden’s office hasn’t commented.… Continue Reading

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