The Tragic Shooting of Charlie Kirk: Uncovering the Life of Tyler Robinson
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, grew up in a quiet, close-knit community in Washington, Utah, where most neighbors attended the same neighborhood church and know each other by their first name.
“I’m shocked,” said Kristin Schwiermann, a 66-year-old neighbor. “That’s not the kid I knew.” Like most of the people in the community, Robinson, his parents, and two brothers attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church less than a mile away, Schwiermann said.
A Close-Knit Community
So it was strange to Schwiermann and others when the quiet neighborhood became filled with strange vans, SUVs, and other unmarked police cars at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. She wondered if it had anything to do with the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, but she had no inkling it would involve Tyler Robinson.
Three doors down, inside the Robinson home, a drama was unfolding. Tyler Robinson’s father, Matt, came to realize his son was the focus of a desperate manhunt as images of him in a long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans began flashing across television and computer screens nationwide.
This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office shows Tyler Robinson.
(Utah Governor’s Office via Associated Press)
Investigating the Motive
Robinson had been close to his parents and two brothers growing up, and would often go on outings camping or hunting, Schwiermann said. According to public records, both of his parents held hunting licenses.
“They’re close, hardworking and smart,” she said. Robinson attended Riverside Elementary, about a half-mile away from the family home, and where Schwiermann also worked as head custodian.
“He was quiet, but he had friends in school, and he never caused problems,” Schwiermann said. He had been regularly active in the church when he was a child, but she said he attended less as he grew older.
A man prays at a makeshift memorial set up at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
At a press conference announcing Robinson’s arrest Friday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a family member told investigators, “Robinson had become more political in recent years,” and expressed dislike for Kirk, who Robinson said was “full of hate
Image Source: www.latimes.com
