Charlie Kirk Shooting: Neb. Sheriff Receives Death Threats after Being Misidentified as Suspect's Dad

Social media posts misidentified Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson as the father of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University.

By Justin Diep

Source Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Sept. 15, 2025

2 min read

What to know

Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson has received death threats after being falsely identified online as the father of Tyler James Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
The agency released a statement debunking claims that the sheriff is related to the Utah man who allegedly killed Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Threats made against the sheriff and his family, and they will be reported to the FBI and pursued to the fullest extent of the law, the agency stated.

Social media posts misidentified Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson as the father of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University. — Washington County, NE, Sheriff Mike Robinson.

The Washington County Sheriff in Nebraska said he received death threats after social media posts misidentified him as the father of Charlie Kirk's suspected killer.

Multiple social media posts have misidentified Sheriff Mike Robinson as the father of Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, who is accused of killing Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, at an event at Utah Valley University.

Mike Robinson, in a statement, said he received death threats and emails telling him they hope he rots in hell.

"Every law enforcement officer has experienced threats as a result of our profession and individuals we encounter or arrest," he said. As law enforcement officers, we take these threats seriously. However, the current death threats are the result of mistaken identity due to a careless and negligent Facebook post. It has been shared on a local gossip page but has since been taken down. The threats not only affect the officer, but also that officer’s family."

Tyler James Robinson was arrested near his family's home in Washington County, Utah on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, all felonies, according to a probable cause statement filed in court and released Friday. There are 32 Washington Counties across the country.

A judge ordered that he be held without bail.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office in Nebraska, in a Facebook post, said Mike Robinson has no relation to the suspect.

"Any threats directed toward Sheriff Robinson or his family will be taken seriously, reported to the FBI, and pursued to the fullest extent of the law," the post said.

This article includes material from the Associated Press.

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