TIMELINE: How Authorities Circled In On Suspected Assassin Tyler Robinson

Federal and state officials in Utah revealed on Friday morning that they closed in on Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man suspected of assassinating Charlie Kirk, after a family friend reached out to law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel said that authorities “made historic progress for Charlie” after capturing the suspected assassin in just 33 hours. Patel then provided a timeline of the FBI’s response immediately after Kirk was gunned down and how the search for the alleged assassin came to a close.

Wednesday, September 10

11:52 a.m. MT — Suspect Arrives Near Campus

Authorities said video showed the suspected assassin driving near campus in a gray Dodge Challenger. One of Robinson’s family members reportedly told investigators that Robinson drove a gray Dodge Challenger. The suspect then walked onto campus and climbed up the stairwells to a roof adjacent to the courtyard where Kirk was speaking, according to authorities.

12:23 p.m. — Charlie Kirk Shot

Authorities believe that a single shot was fired from the roof of a building around 200 yards from where Kirk was debating students during one of his signature question and answer sessions.

12:39 p.m. — The First FBI Agents Arrive, Secure Scene

Shortly after the FBI took over the investigation, the agency immediately began utilizing assets to transport “personnel, specialty technicians, [and] hostage rescue teams,” Patel said, adding that forensic evidence was taken to FBI laboratories at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and other laboratories.

2:40 p.m. — President Trump Announces That Kirk Has Died

“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… pic.twitter.com/aM8Pz3TKml

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 10, 2025

5:20 p.m. — Person Of Interest Questioned

Patel said a person of interest was questioned at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday. He posted at 5:21 p.m. that the “subject for the horrific shooting” was in custody, but less than two hours later, the FBI director posted an update, saying, “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement.” Two subjects were questioned by authorities on Wednesday in connection with the assassination before they were both released.

Thursday, September 11

10:00 a.m. — FBI Releases First Photos Of Suspected Assassin

10:45 a.m. — FBI Offers $100,000 Reward For Info Leading To Arrest Of Suspect

5:30 p.m. — Patel And Deputy Director Dan Bongino Arrive In Utah

Patel said that he was able to evaluate “the large crime scene” at Utah Valley University with investigators, where he walked “through the steps that the suspect took to learn more about what was needed … to create a full picture for the FBI and leadership back in Washington. The FBI director added that investigators are continuing to look at forensic evidence “as we collect it.”

The public also flooded the FBI with around 7,000 leads on Thursday.

8:00 p.m. — FBI Releases More Images, Video Of Suspected Assassin Fleeing Scene

The video showed the suspect jumping off the roof from where the single shot that killed Kirk was fired. Images released by the FBI showed a man in an American flag shirt, a hat, and sunglasses walking up a stairwell.

10:00 p.m. — Tyler Robinson Arrested In Southern Utah

Officials said that Robinson was turned in after a family member reached out to a friend about the 22-year-old, who allegedly confessed or implied that he had assassinated Kirk. The New York Post and The Daily Mail reported that the suspect admitted to the assassination to his father. Robinson reportedly told his father that he wanted to kill himself when his father urged him to turn himself over to the authorities.

Robinson’s father convinced his son to talk to their youth minister, who is also a U.S. Marshal, The New York Post reported. The youth minister then called the FBI, and shortly after, agents took Robinson into custody.