Charlie Kirk assassination live updates: Tyler Robinson’s family speak about gun fascination, dad called cops

Various media outets in the US are reporting that Tyler Robinson owned up to killing Charlie Kirk and wanted to kill himself rather than be arrested.

The New York Post is reporting that his family, who are devout Mormons, got their church involved and his father convinced his son to speak with their youth minister.

The Minister also happens to be a US Marshal Service fugitive task force officer who mediated the situation before the 22yo’s arrest.

Tyler Robinson’s family have spoken about his fascination with guns and their shock over his actions.

Robinson’s grandmother, Debbie Robinson, told the Daily Mail she can not believe her grandson could have been the shooter.

“There is no way that he could have done anything like that,” Ms Robinson said.

“I would cross my heart and promise that there was absolutely no way. He has never, ever gotten in trouble in his life. He’s just a very shy, good kid.”

She claimed she never knew her grandson to be interested in guns, despite images of him holding multiple weapons ranging from shotguns to a bazooka on various Facebook accounts.

The man who has been arrested for allegedly murdering conservative campaigner Charlie Kirk at a Utah university rally is an apprentice electrician who lives with his parents.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was studying and was in his third year of an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College while living at home in St George, Utah.

A spokesperson for Utah Valley University, where Charlie Kirk was shot dead, told NBC that Robinson had earned college credits through Utah Tech University while he was in high school.

Social media images show the young man in typical family situations with his parents and siblings with his mother, Amber Robinson, posting school aptitude scores for Tyler – 34 out of 36 – that would place him in the top 1 per cent of test takers.

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The show goes on — and that’s exactly what producers of the The Charlie Kirk Show did.

Leaving Mr Kirk’s usual seat empty in tribute during Friday’s episode of the daily podcast, executive producer Andrew Kolvet explained that he was filling in because “Charlie would’ve wanted us to be here”.

To his right was a vacant black leather chair facing a microphone. A white cap stitched in gold with the number 47 and a small stuffed giraffe sat where Mr Kirk’s laptop would have been.

“We, of course, have left his chair open and empty because no one will ever fill it,” Mr Kolvet said. “No one will ever hope to.”

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Hundreds of Australians have attended a candlelight vigil to honour US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whose assassination at a Utah university sent shockwaves around the world.

Turning Point Australia, an offshoot of Mr Kirk’s Turning Point group, organised the sunset vigil in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Friday, attended by up to 1000 people.

The Aussie organisation’s director told the Sydney Morning Herald of plans to bring Mr Kirk to Australia prior to his assassination.

Mr Kirk, 31, was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as he hosted one of his signature open-forum campus debates.

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A highly emotional Erika Kirk has spoken about the heart-wrenching conversations she is having with her three year-old daughter after her father Charlie was killed.

She said when she got home Thursday night, their three-year-old daughter asked: “Where’s daddy?”

“I said, ‘Baby, daddy loves you so much,’” she said.

“‘Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.’”

“I can’t wait to see you again one day,” she added, addressing her husband.

Erika Mirk says she will concinute to build her husband Charlie’s legacy after his murder on Wednesday.

“Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby,” she said.

“I promise I’ll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.”

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika says her husband has now been martyred.

“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his saviour and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith,” Ms Kirk said.

“And one of the final conversations that he had on this Earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and save your, Jesus Christ.

“Now and for all eternity, he will stand at his saviour’s side, wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.”

Erika Kirk has spoken about her husband Charlie’s relationship with the US Vice President and President and she addressed the nation following the shooting.

“I want to thank the millions of people who have shown their love for Charlie here in Phoenix, across America, and worldwide,” she said.

“I want to thank my husband’s dear friend, Vice President Vance, and his phenomenal wife for their love and support.

“You guys honoured my husband so well bringing him home. You both are tremendous.

“I want to thank President Trump and his incredible family for the same. Mr President, my husband loved you, and he knew ... that you loved him too. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as he did for you.”

Slain conservative campaigner Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika, has spoken out about her husband’s death.

“I want to thank the first responders who struggled heroically, heroically to save Charles’ life, and the police who acted bravely to make sure that there were no other victims on that terrible afternoon, Ms Kirk said.

“I want to thank the officers who have protected our Turning Point USA family these past two days and I want to thank the Turning Point USA board, the CEO, Justin Strife and my husband’s Chief of Staff, the amazing mic McCoy, for all their work.

“My heart is with every one of my husband’s employees who lost a friend and a mentor.”