The enormous bounty placed on the man suspected of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk could end up in the hands of one of his own family members.
Disturbing footage online captured the moment Kirk, 31, was assassinated in front of students during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday (September 10).
The right-wing influencer was rushed to the hospital by his security team, but shortly afterward, President Donald Trump announced that his ally was dead.
Police soon launched a 33-hour manhunt for the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was arrested on Friday (September 12).
In an interview on Fox & Friends, Trump revealed that someone “very close” to Robinson had “turned him in” to authorities, adding: "I think the father drove him to the police station.”
Initially, the FBI offered a $100K reward for information leading to the suspect's capture.
That number quickly rose as Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz pledged an additional $25,000, conservative activist Robby Starbuck matched the sum, and billionaire Bill Ackman raised the stakes by $1 million. In total, the reward climbed to $1,150,000 - later reported as $1.2 million.
With questions swirling about whether Robinson’s family could claim the payout, Ackman addressed the issue directly on X: “A number of people have reached out and/or posted expressing concern that Tyler Robinson’s father may collect a $1.2m reward for turning in his son, which inspires a few thoughts."
“First, in order for rewards to be effective in finding criminals, the rewards need to be paid even if the recipient is a crook or worse. That said, in this case, if Tyler’s father is found to have been involved or otherwise acted negligently in contributing to Charlie’s death, civil litigation or criminal prosecution will reverse any unjust compensation.”
Ackman added that reports suggested Robinson’s family intended to waive any right to the money. “So yes, we will pay the reward if it is earned to whomever the FBI indicates provided the information that led to Tyler’s arrest. I always keep my word.”
However, a police report suggests it may not have been Robinson’s father who alerted authorities about the suspected shooter.
According to investigators: “On the evening of September 11, 2025, a family member of Tyler Robinson reached out to a family friend, who contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident."
"This information was relayed to the Utah County Sheriff's Office and scene investigators at UVU [Utah Valley University]. This information was also conveyed to the FBI," they added.
Meanwhile, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Robinson is “not cooperating,” though he noted that “all the people around him" are providing information.
He also said reports of Robinson being “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology” came from family and friends, adding: “There's so much more that we're learning and so much more that we will learn... official charges will be filed on Tuesday, and there will be much more evidence and information available then."
Investigators are also examining disturbing Discord messages Robinson allegedly exchanged with friends after the shooting.
In one group chat, users teased him with a skull emoji, suggesting he looked like the suspect. Robinson allegedly joked it was his “doppelganger” trying to “get me in trouble,” per The New York Times.
“Tyler killed Charlie!!!” one user wrote, while another suggested turning him in for the FBI reward. Robinson reportedly replied, “Only if I get a cut.”
He later added that he “better also get rid of this manifesto and exact copy rifle I have lying around,” before insisting the shooter was “CLEARLY” from California.
Discord has denied that its platform was used to plan the attack.
President Trump has spoken out about his ally's death in a video message, saying he was “filled with grief and anger”.
“Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror,” he said. “Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much, the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He's a martyr for truth and freedom, and there's never been anyone who was so respected by youth.”
Trump added that Kirk loved his wife Erika and their two children “more than anything in the world,” and warned political violence was the result of “demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day.”
Kirk’s widow also opened up about her grief during a Turning Point USA livestream, vowing to carry forward her husband’s work.
“[Kirk] loved his life. He loved America. He loved nature, which helped him always bring him closer to God. He loved the Chicago Cubs and, my goodness, did he love the Oregon Ducks," she shared. "Most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart, and I knew that every day.”