Tyler Robinson, the man authorities accused of killing the conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this week, resided in the area, according to police .
Outside the Robinson family home in Washington, neighbours expressed shock that a fellow resident could have committed such an attack.
Ms Jacobson said she did not personally know the Robinson family, but her grandmother did.
“This is a good family,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox told CNN on Saturday.
Another neighbour, 18-year-old Josh Kemp, said he had seen Mr Robinson leaving his house, on one occasion with a roommate.
Situated just southwest of Zion National Park, Washington, Utah, has long served as a center for discovering the natural wonders of the American west and is encircled by flat-topped, movie-like mountains.
Residents are left wondering, however, how one of the most heinous acts of political violence in the nation’s history could have occurred at the entrance to its most picturesque regions.
According to police, Tyler Robinson, who is suspected of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this week, lived nearby. He was taken into custody on charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
As they conducted a high-stakes investigation, local and federal law enforcement swarmed into normally peaceful blocks in Washington and neighboring St George, knocking on doors and blocking off streets.
In Washington, neighbors outside the Robinson family home expressed surprise that a neighbor could have carried out such an attack.
Twenty-year-old Addi Jacobson, who recently moved into her grandmother’s home in the neighborhood, said, “It shakes up a community because you don’t expect it.”.
Her grandmother knew the Robinson family, according to Ms. Jacobson, but she did not.
“She simply stated that she believes they are a wonderful family, just ordinary citizens, based on her observations and knowledge,” Ms. Jacobson stated. She said that they were “very patriotic people.”. ‘”.
“We were acquainted with their family. Another neighbor who lived nearby remarked, “Our entire neighborhood is so close.”. Considering the contentious political and internet debate surrounding Kirk’s murder, she requested that the BBC refrain from using her name.
The woman recalled that Tyler Robinson “was a pretty quiet kid,” despite the fact that his younger brothers were more active in sports and community activities. Both his father and mother were described as “a hard worker” and “amazing parent,” respectively. She claimed that they both occasionally went to a Mormon church in the area.
“That simply proves that even if you are a great parent, your children will still make their own decisions,” the neighbor remarked.
Spencer Cox, the governor of Utah, told CNN on Saturday, “This is a good family.”. “A typical boyhood. Everything you would think would never result in this kind of situation. Unfortunately, it did. “..”.
Kirk was shot on September 10 in front of hundreds of students and onlookers, and the hospital declared him dead. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and leaders of both major US political parties denounced the assassination after videos of the bloodshed went viral on social media.
If you previously believed that my husband’s mission was strong, you’re mistaken. In Friday night’s first public statement, Erika Kirk, the activist’s wife, said, “You have no idea what you just unleashed across this entire country.”.
Two suspects were detained by officials at first but were later released. Spencer Cox, the governor of Utah, declared Mr. Robinson was in custody early on Friday. Officials claimed that his father had convinced him to turn himself in.
Police cars surrounded a townhouse complex in St. George, Utah, which is roughly ten minutes from Washington, the previous evening. According to the local media, Mr. Robinson had an apartment there.
When Sherri Steele, who lives across the street from the house, returned from her evening stroll, she noticed that there were many police officers in her complex. “Freeze!” and “Come out now!” are yelled by a loud voice that she claimed belonged to authorities in a video that she showed the BBC.
“Coming up the street and all of a sudden there are helicopters above your house just kind of blows your mind,” Ms. Steele remarked, noting that she had never spoken to or interacted with Mr. Robinson.
Josh Kemp, 18, another neighbor, reported that he had witnessed Mr. Robinson leaving his home, once with a roommate.
A roommate who was interviewed by police allegedly showed them messages that Robinson had posted on Discord, according to Mr. Robinson’s affidavit.
The messages covered topics such as “need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush,” “having left the rifle wrapped in a towel,” and “visually watching the area where a rifle was left.”. “..”.
A scope and the rifle’s uniqueness are also mentioned in the messages, along with engraving bullets, the document states.
According to CBS News, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray intends to file formal charges against Mr. Robinson on Tuesday, the day the accused makes his initial court appearance.
The entire country, including the current White House occupants in Washington, DC, will be watching.
However, Utah and Washington will also.
Ms. Jacobson remarked, “I never realized that I was living next to someone who could do something like this the entire time,” while she and her fiancé and infant played in the park.
How much closer am I to someone else who might be this way? is the question it raises.
