Authorities said Sunday that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, is being held under “special watch” pending a mental health evaluation.
Robinson is housed in the Utah County Sheriff’s Department’s special unit so deputies can “keep a close eye on him” until his mental health status is assessed, the department said in a statement. The evaluation process may take several days, officials added, according to Fox News.
Once the evaluation is complete, Robinson will move on to the classification process to determine his housing assignment in custody. “He will continue to be monitored by mental, medical, and custody staff throughout the duration of his stay,” the sheriff’s department said.
The sheriff’s department said suspects may be placed on “special watch” for a range of reasons, including the nature of their crime, behavioral issues, violent conduct, or suicidal remarks during arrest. Officials noted they were specifically alerted to concerns about suicidal comments in Robinson’s case.
Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk, 31, on Wednesday during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk, a married father of two, was addressing a campus crowd when he was killed.
Robinson was taken into custody after a 33-hour manhunt. A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that Robinson’s father recognized him in surveillance images released by the FBI and ultimately turned him in.