The search for Charlie Kirk’s killer didn’t just make people mad; it also ignited a race for a prize that escalated to more than $1.1 million.
Everyone is asking one big question: Can the suspect’s family get that money?
Trump advisor gave it a boost
On September 10, Kirk, 31, was shot and died while talking to students at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
The FBI first offered $100,000 for information that would help them find the shooter. When Trump aide Alex Bruesewitz gave $25,000, that number quickly went up. After that, conservative activist Robby Starbuck matched it, and billionaire investor Bill Ackman gave a staggering $1 million.
That made the total prize around $1.15 million.
Who will win the $1.2 million?
Tyler Robinson, 22, who is assumed to be the shooter, was taken into custody in a quiet suburban area where many people support President Donald Trump. This is the same Trump that was friends with Charlie Kirk.
Robinson’s family was Republican and lived in St. George, Utah, a small town about three hours from Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot and died.
It’s not clear why he got in his car, drove for hours across the state, and shot Kirk in the head. People who lived near him and went to school with him are still in shock. They think of him as a brilliant, nice young man.
Reports from the beginning suggest that Robinson gave himself over to the police on Thursday night. Some reports say that when the FBI released pictures of the suspected shooter, his father recognized him. The father then notified a friend, who phoned the cops.
Bill Ackman’s view
As soon as Robinson was named as the suspect, speculations spread swiftly online. Can his father get the $1.2 million reward for helping to turn him in?
Bill Ackman, a billionaire who offered $1 million to the bounty, wrote a post on X to address the rumors head-on.
“Many folks have called and commented about their fears that Tyler Robinson’s father would obtain a $1.2 million bounty for turning in his son. This makes me think of a few things.
Ackman remarked that there can’t be any exceptions to rewards because
“First, for rewards to work in catching criminals, they have to be given out even if the person who gets them is a criminal or worse.” If it becomes out that Tyler’s father was involved in or reckless in causing Charlie’s death, civil or criminal prosecution will take away any unfair compensation.
In short, they qualify if the family is not guilty. If not, they’re out.
Can you confirm if his dad made the call?
Ackman went even further and talked about claims that Robinson’s family doesn’t even want the money.
“Yes, we will give the reward to whoever the FBI says gave them the information that led to Tyler’s arrest.” I always do what I say I will do.
But here is when things start to get messy. Reports from the police claimed that it was a family friend, not Robinson’s father, who phoned the police.
The report adds that on the night of September 11, 2025, a relative of Tyler Robinson called a family acquaintance and told them that Robinson had either confessed to them or implied that he had done the crime. This information was given to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and UVU scene investigators. This information also sent to the FBI.
A lot of people are arguing about who should get the $1.2 million. Should a parent or even a family friend get a reward for turning in someone they care about? Or should their family ties stop them from cashing in?