A Utah business owner says Tyler Robinson ate at his restaurant hours after allegedly assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September — and treated himself to a hearty steak dinner.
The owner of the mom-and-pop steakhouse in Panguitch, about three hours south of where the Turning Point USA founder was gunned down on an Orem college campus, said the 22-year-old murder suspect sat alone at the counter and kept to himself as he scarfed down his meal, Fox News Digital reported.
“So the gal that served him said that he was quiet, kind of shy,” the eatery owner, who asked not to be named, told the outlet.
“Usually, if somebody sits at our counter, they like to talk. And he sat on the counter and she said he really didn’t want to talk, just wanted to eat and get out.”
The proprietor noted the lone diner ordered a medium-rare sirloin with vegetables and a baked potato.
But the next day, when the FBI released photos of the alleged gunman, the owner said his staff immediately recognized him and contacted the feds, according to the outlet.
“When they put a picture of the young man out there, I had a server say they were relatively certain that they had had that person in that night — late,” he said, adding “that was turned over to the FBI.”
The restauranteur and two servers were questioned by federal agents, but technical glitches prevented him handing over the cardholder name or security footage.
Only the last four digits of the credit card used to pay for the steak feast were given to the FBI, the owner said, Fox reported.
“That was the last I’ve heard of it,” he added, noting he wasn’t sure whether the information aided in the investigation or if the FBI confirmed Robinson was the solo guest.
“The FBI followed through and did what they were supposed to, and that’s that. The staff that was involved, they were just trying to be good citizens, and they really don’t want to be hounded about it.”
Kirk, a 31-year-old married father of two, was shot dead at Utah Valley University while speaking to a crowd of thousands as part of his American Comeback Tour on Sept. 10.
Robinson was arrested two days later following a massive manhunt.
He is facing seven felony charges of aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Robinson is behind bars pending trial and could face death by firing squad if convicted. Utah is one of five states that still allow the execution method.
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