Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, has hired legal representation and is now refusing to cooperate with investigators, according to a recent report.
CNN reported, citing a person with knowledge of the investigation, that Robinson had initially been speaking with authorities but has since stopped answering questions. What he may have told them before going silent has not been disclosed.
Robinson is currently in custody without bail at the Utah County Jail, following an order issued by state Judge Shawn Rice Howell.
According to a probable-cause affidavit reviewed by NBC News, prosecutors are preparing to charge him with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury, and obstruction of justice.
The legal filings indicate that Robinson, who was arrested Thursday evening, does not have any previous criminal record, neither misdemeanors nor felonies.
Kirk, 31, lost his life on Wednesday while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University in Orem.
At a press briefing, Utah Governor Spencer Cox explained that the state has three days to bring official charges against Robinson and added that authorities believe he acted independently.
President Donald Trump stated that in his view, whoever is convicted of murdering Kirk should receive the death sentence, a punishment permitted in Utah for aggravated murder cases.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rebbetzin Rus Zelushinsky a”h, from the Shaarei Chesed neighborhood of Yerushalayim, who passed away at the age of 100.
She was the mother of Rav Yonah Zelushinsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Avi Ezri and a Rosh Yeshiva at the Ponovezh Yeshiva.
Rebbetzin Zelushinsky was born in Germany on 23 Shevat 5686 (1926) to her father Reb Yaakov Levi z”l, and her mother Rebbetzin Rachel a”h.
She later married Rav Avrohom Yehuda Zelushinsky, who for decades served as the administrator of Yeshivas Chevron Knesses Yisroel, working hand in hand with its Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yechezkel Sarna. Her husband passed away during Chol Hamoed Sukkos in 2016.
A true aishes chayil, Rebbetzin Zelushinsky was a woman of deep yiras Shamayim, wisdom, and generosity, always pursuing chessed. Those who knew her recall that she never ceased reflecting on the greater meaning of life, maintaining this lofty perspective until her very last days.
She merited to raise generations of bnei and bnos Torah, children and grandchildren who follow the path of Torah, most prominently her son, Rav Yonah Zelushinsky.
Her life was not without sorrow; she endured the loss of her eldest son, Rav Mordechai Shraga Zelushinsky zt”l, a rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Tiferes Yaakov, who was niftar 18 years ago at the age of 56 after a serious illness.
Her levayah took place this morning, leaving from Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim to Har Hamenuchos, where she was laid to rest.
The family is sitting shivah at the home of her daughter, the Karlinksy family, at 74 Nof Ramot, Yerushalayim.
Yehi zichrah boruch.
{Matzav.com}
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to approve a resolution promoting a two-state framework, a move that Israel denounced as a “political circus.” The non-binding measure set out “tangible, time-bound and irreversible steps” toward creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The resolution, officially titled the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” passed with 142 nations in favor, 10 opposed, and 12 abstaining.
Among those voting against were Israel and the United States, joined by Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga.
The measure, introduced with support from France and Saudi Arabia, urges “collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the Two-State solution.”
The declaration, spanning seven pages and already backed by the Arab League, also addressed Hamas directly. It stated that the group “must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support.”
It further demanded that “Hamas must free all hostages” and denounced “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October.”
Another clause called for “deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission” in Gaza, under a UN Security Council mandate, to aid the civilian population and transfer security responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry reacted strongly, with spokesperson Oren Marmorstein sharply criticizing the outcome. “Once again, it has been proven how much the General Assembly is a political circus detached from reality: in the dozens of clauses of the declaration endorsed by this resolution, there is not a single mention that Hamas is a terrorist organization,” he said.
He added, “There is no reference to the simple fact that Hamas is solely responsible for the continuation of the war, through its refusal to return the hostages and disarm. The resolution does not advance a solution of peace — on the contrary, it encourages Hamas to continue the war.”
Marmorstein closed his remarks by expressing appreciation to “all the countries that did not lend their hand to this disgraceful decision in the General Assembly.”
The resolution was passed just days before a UN summit scheduled for September 22 in New York, co-hosted by Riyadh and Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Other governments — including Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium — have also announced their plans to recognize Palestinian statehood.
{Matzav.com}
According to a statement from the terror group, cited by Channel 13 News, al-Hayya “carried out the funeral prayer for his martyred son who was killed in the strike and for those killed in the assassination attempt, under special security arrangements.”
Despite the claim, Hamas provided no pictures or additional evidence to prove his presence.
On Thursday, the organization released photographs from the funeral held in Doha for those killed in the Israeli strike. The images featured Hamas leaders Osama Hamdan and Izzat al-Rishq, though al-Hayya himself did not appear in any of them.
Earlier reports indicated that al-Rishq had been inside the building struck in Doha. Al-Rishq, who sits on Hamas’s diplomatic bureau and oversees its Arab and Islamic relations office, has long operated out of Jordan, Syria, and later Qatar.
Al-Hayya currently serves as Hamas’s acting chief in Gaza following the killing of Yahya Sinwar. Though based in Qatar, he previously worked for many years inside Gaza. His involvement with Hamas began during the First Intifada. He was jailed in Israel during the 1990s and has survived multiple assassination attempts over the years.
{Matzav.com}
The State Department revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be traveling to Israel and the United Kingdom from September 13 through September 18. His trip to Israel is expected to focus on reaffirming America’s dedication to Israel’s security, reviewing the ongoing conflict with Hamas and broader regional stability, and engaging with Israeli leadership about operational priorities and efforts to secure the release of hostages.
While in Israel, Rubio will also meet with families of the hostages to stress that ensuring the return of their relatives remains one of Washington’s highest priorities.
The official announcement further stated that “in the United Kingdom, Secretary Rubio will join the President’s delegation for a second State Visit and meet with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss US-UK cooperation on global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, securing Hamas-held hostages, advancing a Gaza ceasefire, and addressing competition with China.”
{Matzav.com}
Shomrim North West London reported on Friday that police in London had taken into custody a man suspected of being behind a string of antisemitic vandalism incidents that targeted local shuls, a Jewish school, a nursery, and a walkway frequently used by mispallelim in Golders Green.
The most recent attack involved human waste being smeared on the entrance of a neighborhood shul and its Jewish children’s nursery. This latest act brought the total number of antisemitic incidents in the area to eight within just over a week.
Authorities have stated that they are not currently searching for any other individuals in connection with these crimes.
According to Shomrim North West London, their team collaborated closely with the Metropolitan Police during the investigation, assisting by supplying CCTV footage, intelligence, and support for those directly impacted.
A representative of Shomrim remarked, “We thank the police for listening to our concerns, putting on extra resources, and acting decisively to arrest the suspect. Our volunteers have been working tirelessly around the clock, analysing CCTV and carrying out covert operations to assist this investigation. This arrest is a testament to the strength of partnership between the community, Shomrim, and the police. We will continue to support those affected and ensure our community feels safe and reassured.”
The organization also praised the dedicated volunteers who responded day and night, coordinated evidence collection, and offered comfort to the victims during this challenging period.
{Matzav.com}
Law enforcement sources said that Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, threatened to take his own life rather than surrender when his father confronted him about the shocking murder.
Authorities explained that Robinson’s father recognized his 22-year-old son in images of the suspect released by police on Thursday. When Robinson came home, his father directly confronted him.
According to investigators, Robinson admitted to carrying out the shooting at Utah Valley University when his father asked if he was the gunman. At first, however, he refused to hand himself over to authorities.
Robinson told his father that he would rather end his life, but his parent persuaded him to speak with their youth minister, who also has ties to the US Marshals Service fugitive task force, sources said.
The minister then contacted a deputy with the federal agency, after which the FBI moved in and arrested Robinson on Thursday evening, according to officials.
“I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson who did the right thing in this case and were able to bring him into law enforcement,” Cox said.
Robinson, who previously attended Utah Valley, was taken into custody on aggravated murder charges. Investigators believe he acted alone.
During the search for Robinson, authorities interviewed his roommate and reviewed a series of Discord messages Robinson allegedly sent after the attack.
In some of the messages, Robinson instructed his roommate to collect a rifle and indicated it had been hidden inside a dark-colored towel near a wooded section close to the university campus, officials said.
Another message revealed that Robinson had switched clothing after carrying out the shooting, according to Cox.
Authorities also noted that Robinson had spoken disparagingly about Kirk in the hours before the attack, accusing the conservative activist and father of two of being “full of hate.”
{Matzav.com}Officials revealed Friday that Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, had become more politically outspoken in recent years and vented just before the murder that the conservative leader was “full of hate.”
Robinson, 22, who once attended Utah Valley University, grew angry over Kirk’s planned campus event and ranted about it during a dinner in the days leading up to the shooting of President Trump’s close ally, according to investigators.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press briefing that a family acquaintance who was present at that dinner recalled Robinson complaining that he “didn’t like [Kirk] and the viewpoints he had.”
Cox added that Robinson furiously claimed “Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate,” remarks that the family friend described as disturbingly intense.
Authorities said Robinson was ultimately handed over by his father, who sought help through a family minister. Law enforcement sources noted that Robinson initially told his father he would rather end his life than give himself up.
Investigators discovered three unfired bullet casings in the chamber of the rifle allegedly used in the shooting, each bearing unusual engravings. One read “Hey fascist! Catch!” alongside arrow symbols pointing up, right, and down.
Another casing carried the phrase “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao,” referencing a famous Italian anti-fascist anthem, Cox explained.
A third casing was marked with “If you read this, you are gay LMAO [laugh my a– off],” found in the chamber of the Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle fitted with a scope.
The single casing that had been fired was etched with the bizarre phrase, “notices, bulges, OWO, what’s this?” according to Cox.
Social media posts by Robinson’s mother showed family snapshots that appeared ordinary, featuring vacations, gun show outings, and sports events with their three children.
A background search revealed no criminal history for Robinson, as investigators continue piecing together his behavior and statements in the period before the assassination.
Authorities interviewed his roommate, who shared Discord messages Robinson sent following the attack. These included directions to retrieve a rifle hidden in a towel in a wooded spot near Utah Valley University.
Other messages from Robinson admitted he had changed his clothes after carrying out the attack, Cox said.
Robinson’s father identified him in FBI photos circulated on Thursday, prompting him to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. When Robinson returned home, his father confronted him, and Robinson confessed to being the shooter, according to law enforcement.
Though the father urged him to surrender, Robinson responded that he would prefer to kill himself.
Eventually, the father persuaded him to speak with their youth minister, who also serves with the US Marshals Service task force. The minister then contacted the FBI, which led to Robinson’s arrest.
“We got him,” Governor Cox declared at the start of Friday’s press conference, standing alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, who confirmed that the 33-hour manhunt ended late Thursday.
Patel closed his remarks with a personal farewell to Kirk, stating, “See you in Valhalla.”
{Matzav.com}
Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, is set to face multiple state charges, including aggravated murder, according to a probable cause affidavit made public on Friday.
The 22-year-old from Washington, Utah, is also being charged with felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury and obstruction of justice, the affidavit reviewed by NBC News revealed.
So far, every charge brought against Robinson is at the state level.
In Utah, aggravated murder is the sole offense that allows for the death penalty, though prosecutors must specifically seek that punishment.
Executions are rare in the state, which has only carried out seven since 1977. Most were by lethal injection, though firing squad remains a legal option.
Typically, aggravated murder is filed as a first-degree felony not subject to capital punishment, with penalties ranging from life in prison without parole to a minimum of 25 years behind bars.
President Trump joined a growing number of voices calling for Robinson to face the death penalty for Kirk’s killing.
“In Utah, you have death penalty, and a good governor there, I have gotten to know him,” Trump told “Fox & Friends” on Friday morning. “The governor is intent on the death penalty in this case and he should be.”
Governor Spencer Cox had already declared before Robinson’s arrest that the state “will pursue the death penalty,” once “this evil human being” was in custody.
Several lawmakers also weighed in Friday, insisting that Robinson be sentenced to death if convicted.
“They got him! Now, justice must be served for Charlie Kirk, for his family and for our country. I would support [Utah Gov. Spencer Cox] and Trump’s DOJ in pursuing the death penalty. Political violence of any kind CANNOT happen in this country,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey wrote on X.
“While it is great news, it does not erase the loss of one of the greatest conservative voices in history. Prosecutors MUST pursue the death penalty and demand justice for Charlie Kirk’s assassination,” Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth added, echoing Ivey’s remarks.
Cox told reporters Friday morning that under Utah law, prosecutors have three days to submit formal charges.
The filings are expected “early next week,” he said.
Cox also stated that investigators currently believe Robinson acted alone.
“We do not at this time have any information that would lead to any additional arrests,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
President Trump declared on Friday that Memphis will be the next city to receive a federal law enforcement surge, making it the second city after Washington, DC, to be targeted under the initiative.
Memphis, Tennessee’s second-largest city with about 611,000 residents, reported 297 homicides last year and currently holds the highest violent crime rate among large American cities.
Data from the FBI shows that in 2024, Memphis recorded 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
“We’re going to Memphis. [It is] deeply troubled and the mayor is happy. The Democrat mayor [Paul Young] is happy. And the [Republican] Governor [Bill Lee] is happy,” Trump said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“Deeply troubled — we’re going to fix that, just like we did Washington. I would have preferred going to Chicago.”
Trump explained that the idea was suggested by a friend, a railroad executive who also sits on the board of Memphis-based shipping giant FedEx.
“He said, ‘When I walk one block to my hotel, they won’t allow me to do it. They put me in an armored vehicle with bulletproof glass to take me one block.’ He said, ‘It’s so terrible.’”
Just last month, Trump ordered a surge of federal officers and National Guard units into Washington following a series of violent crime incidents that drew national attention.
He has repeatedly floated the possibility of launching a similar effort in Chicago, but Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, have resisted the move.
Earlier this week, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, focusing on illegal immigrants with criminal records. So far, however, that operation has been limited to immigration enforcement.
“So we’re going to Memphis. I’m just announcing that now, and we’ll straighten that out,” Trump said Friday.
“We’ll bring in the military, too, if we need it. But National Guard,” he added. “Memphis is, look, it’s a great music city, it’s, you know, home of Elvis and everything else.”
Trump has previously used federal deployments in major cities, most notably in 2020 under the multi-agency initiative known as Operation Legend.
{Matzav.com}
With just days before tens of thousands of Breslover chassidim are set to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, outrage has erupted after Moldova canceled both chartered and scheduled flights. Thousands who had already purchased tickets and secured lodging now find themselves stranded without a solution. Leaders of Ichud Breslov are calling the decision unlawful and accuse Moldova of blatant antisemitism. They are urging the Israeli government to reexamine its ties with Chisinau.
Each year, large groups of Breslover chassidim make their way to the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine, a pilgrimage that stands at the center of the chassidus. The quickest access route is often via Moldova, whose airport lies relatively close to Uman. While cooperation between Israel and Moldova once functioned smoothly, community leaders say the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent years.
According to Ichud Breslov in Uman, the Moldovan authorities abruptly canceled flights that had been contracted and paid for. “Last year they canceled all our charter flights at the very last moment,” said one senior organizer. “They led us to believe until the end that there was a simple technical fix, but in the end, they canceled everything. This year, after endless negotiations, they again pulled the plug at the last second. It’s another devastating blow.”
Reb Levi Yitzchok Gewirtz, director of Derech Tzaddikim and Netivim Tours and one of the Ichud Breslov leaders, recalled last year’s chaos. “They gave us the impression until the very last minute that if we solved a ‘small problem,’ everything would be fine,” he said. “But in reality, they canceled everything without sufficient notice. It caused massive financial losses and immense distress.”
This year, expectations that Moldova might act differently quickly faded as drawn-out negotiations collapsed yet again at the last minute. The situation reached its peak when even regular, fully authorized flights arranged months in advance were canceled.
Calling the cancellations an “illegal act,” Reb Noson Bin Nun, chairman of Ichud Breslov, asked, “What businessman would invest in a country that can openly violate clear international agreements? This is banana republic behavior. If their government can just cancel legal contracts and flights, what guarantees they won’t nationalize and seize investors’ assets?”
Breslover leaders do not mince words, labeling the move “open antisemitism.” They argue the conduct is deliberately aimed at Jews and has no other rational explanation. “This is pure antisemitism,” said Rabbi Gewirtz. “They simply don’t want Jews passing through their country.”
One chossid whose flight was suddenly canceled expressed his frustration: “This behavior is particularly painful. It’s not hidden antisemitism—it’s right in our faces. We feel like we’re being treated as second-class citizens. If this were about famous soccer players or celebrities, people would move mountains to help them. But when it’s thousands of Jews who want to pray, no one really cares. It reminds us of dark times when terrible things were done to the Jewish people.”
In response, Ichud Breslov is demanding that Israel reconsider its relations with Moldova. They are pressing the government to use diplomatic pressure and even explore economic sanctions. “We cannot continue business as usual with a country that cancels binding international agreements just because they involve Jews,” said the Ichud. “We expect our government to defend its citizens against antisemitism—not only at home but abroad—and not allow any country to treat us like outcasts.”
Rabbi Pinchas Zaltzman, chief rabbi of Moldova, also expressed surprise at the government’s actions. While not a spokesman for the Moldovan authorities, he acknowledged Israel’s extensive efforts to resolve the situation and admitted he himself was taken aback by the harsh stance adopted by Moldovan officials.
As of now, thousands of Breslover chassidim who already bought tickets and accommodations remain in limbo, venting anger and confusion. Many are unsure whether they will be able to reach Uman at all.
{Matzav.com Israel}
