Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event last week, is being held under “special watch” as officials carry out a mental health evaluation, authorities said Sunday.
Robinson, who was taken into custody after a 33-hour manhunt, will remain in the Utah County sheriff’s department’s special housing unit “so that authorities can keep a close eye on him” until the evaluation is complete, the department said in a statement. The process could take several days.
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Once cleared, Robinson will move into the jail’s standard classification process to determine his permanent housing. “He will continue to be monitored by mental, medical, and custody staff throughout the duration of his stay,” the department added.
Officials noted that “special watch” status is commonly applied for several reasons, including the nature of the crime, violent or erratic behaviour, and suicidal threats made during or after arrest. Authorities confirmed they were specifically alerted to suicidal comments or concerns regarding Robinson.
Arrest followed family intervention
Robinson allegedly opened fire on Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, killing the married father of two young children in front of an audience.
The suspect’s arrest came after his father recognised him in FBI surveillance footage released during the manhunt. According to a law enforcement source cited by Fox News Digital, Robinson returned to his father’s home and said he wanted to kill himself. His father later consulted a minister before turning him in to the authorities.
Governor: Suspect not cooperating
Utah governor Brian Cox said Sunday that Robinson has so far refused to cooperate with investigators.
“He has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think that’s very important,” Cox told ABC News.
The governor added that Robinson’s family members and his romantic partner, a man transitioning from male to female, are assisting investigators. He also noted that those close to the 22-year-old described him as being “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”
Robinson, who was taken into custody after a 33-hour manhunt, will remain in the Utah County sheriff’s department’s special housing unit “so that authorities can keep a close eye on him” until the evaluation is complete, the department said in a statement. The process could take several days.
Video
Once cleared, Robinson will move into the jail’s standard classification process to determine his permanent housing. “He will continue to be monitored by mental, medical, and custody staff throughout the duration of his stay,” the department added.
Officials noted that “special watch” status is commonly applied for several reasons, including the nature of the crime, violent or erratic behaviour, and suicidal threats made during or after arrest. Authorities confirmed they were specifically alerted to suicidal comments or concerns regarding Robinson.
Arrest followed family intervention
Robinson allegedly opened fire on Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, killing the married father of two young children in front of an audience.
The suspect’s arrest came after his father recognised him in FBI surveillance footage released during the manhunt. According to a law enforcement source cited by Fox News Digital, Robinson returned to his father’s home and said he wanted to kill himself. His father later consulted a minister before turning him in to the authorities.
Governor: Suspect not cooperating
Utah governor Brian Cox said Sunday that Robinson has so far refused to cooperate with investigators.
“He has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think that’s very important,” Cox told ABC News.
The governor added that Robinson’s family members and his romantic partner, a man transitioning from male to female, are assisting investigators. He also noted that those close to the 22-year-old described him as being “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”
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