Washington Co. Sheriff clarifies involvement in Tyler Robinson capture
Sep 17, 2025, 5:08 PM | Updated: 5:09 pm
Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby speaks in a press conference in Washington County on Wed., Sept. 17. (Washington County Sheriff's Dept. on YouTube)
(Washington County Sheriff's Dept. on YouTube)
ST. GEORGE, Utah — It was a retired detective and long-time friend of Washington County Sheriff Office, Nate Brooksby, that helped facilitate the process of Tyler Robinson turning himself in peacefully to police.
Robinson is suspected of fatally shooting activist Charlie Kirk at a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10. He is facing seven charges, including capital murder.
Related: Prosecutors intend to seek death penalty for suspected shooter in Charlie Kirk killing
Before describing the events that lead to Robinson turning himself in, Brooksby said he wanted to set the record straight.
There are two people named Matt Robinson in Washington County, which has caused some confusion. The first is the suspect’s father. Brooksby said that other media outlets had mistakenly reported the suspect’s father had handcuffed his son and brought him to the Washington County Sheriff.
“That’s completely false,” Brooksby said.
The other Matt Robinson is a retired Washington County Sheriff’s deputy. Brooksby reiterated these are two completely different people, and Tyler’s father has no connection to the sheriff’s office.
“Matt Robinson, my retired deputy, has been harassed. He’s had to leave his house at this point,” Brooksby said.
How Robinson was brought into custody
Brooksby said at 8:02 p.m., MDT, on Sept. 11, he received a call from a friend who is a former detective.
Related: Roof security among student questions after Charlie Kirk murder
“He said, ‘Hey I know who Charlie Kirk’s shooter is. I know the family through religious association. He’s in Washington County now, and we’re working, trying to get him to come in voluntarily.”
During that call, Robinson told Brooksby that Tyler Robinson had expressed “talk of suicidal ideation,” and was en route to a remote area of Washington County.
But within an hour of the initial phone call, Brooksby said the former detective and Robinson’s parents drove Robinson to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, “where he was greeted by plainclothes detectives.”
Robinson’s requests
Brooksby said he and the detective negotiated a way to make Robinson feel more comfortable turning himself in. Working with plainclothes detectives was part of the deal.
“He (Tyler) knew it was inevitable that he would be caught,” Brooksby said. “He was fearful of a SWAT team hit on his house. He was fearful of being shot by law enforcement.”
Related: Political activist Charlie Kirk shot, killed at UVU during ‘Prove Me Wrong’ tour
So the Washington County Sheriff’s Department treated the situation delicately.
Federal and Utah County officials arrived in Washington County about two-and-a-half hours later.
During that time, Brooksby said they did not speak with the suspect.
“Our job was not to interview. Our job was to get him (Tyler Robinson) here.”
He was transported to Utah County overnight. Brooksby said he was not handcuffed.
