Washington City is the second-largest city in Washington County.
(Mark Eddington | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cloud cover over Washington County in 2024. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson late Thursday in Washington City, the county’s second-largest municipality.
When Washington County makes headlines, it is typically because it is home to Zion National Park, or due to its explosive growth, lack of water and wealth of conservative politics.
But that changed since 22-year-old resident Tyler James Robinson’s arrest in Washington City — the county’s second-largest municipality — on Thursday night in connection with the shooting death of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk.
That development has shone an uncomfortable spotlight on Utah’s fifth-most populous county.
“This is not the kind of news that we want to be known for,” said Michele Randall, mayor of St. George, the county’s largest city. “We are a much better community than this. My heart goes out to the Kirk family and to the suspect’s family, who turned their son in. What a tragedy it is to have this happen in Utah and involve a suspect who lives in our community.”
The southwestern Utah county, which shares borders with Arizona and Nevada, routinely rates as one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties. Currently, its population is estimated to be roughly 212,000, and that number is projected to more than double to about 465,000 by 2060.
Washington City, where Robinson lived, is located immediately northeast of St. George and is home to nearly 40,000 people.
Destination of choice, not last resort
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Homes in Washington County on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has turned the national spotlight to the southwestern corner of Utah.
Settled in 1861 by hardscrabble pioneers sent by Latter-day Saint Prophet-President Brigham Young, St. George and the surrounding area has morphed from a place of last resort to a tourist and retirement destination of choice due to its warm climate, scenic red rock cliffs and canyons, golf courses, and nearby Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park.
Besides its natural beauty, the county is home to the Huntsman World Senior Games, the world’s largest annual multi-sport event for athletes age 50 and over. The St. George Marathon, which takes place each October and is one of Utah’s most storied races, is another marquee attraction. So is Black Desert, a $2 billion resort under construction on 625 acres about 8 miles northwest of St. George. The area also boasts hundreds of miles of world-class hiking and biking trails.
One resource the area often lacks is water. Currently, all of Washington County is stuck in severe or extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
About 82% of county residents are white and over 61% are members of Utah’s predominant faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Most residents here are also politically conservative. Just over 75 percent of county voters cast ballots for Donald Trump in 2024. Moreover, a Democrat has not won elective office in Washington County for more than five decades.
Expressing sorrow, calling for civility
(Mark Eddington | The Salt Lake Tribune) Washington City in 2024. Tyler James Robinson, whom authorities suspect of shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, lived in the suburb just northeast of St. George.
Washington City officials often tout the strides the city is making to step out of the shadow of neighboring St. George by becoming a haven for restaurants, hotels and car dealerships, among other things.
In response to Robinson’s arrest, Washington City released the following statement: “Washington City expresses its profound sadness regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding the shooting of Charlie Kirk and the recent arrest of Tyler Robinson. This event is deeply troubling, and our thoughts are with all those impacted.”
Washington County also weighed in on the shooting and the suspect’s arrest, issuing a statement calling for greater civility in political discourse.
“To hear that the perpetrator of such terrible political violence was raised in our beautiful community is profoundly shocking,” the statement reads. “Washington County, like Charlie Kirk himself, stands for the values of faith, freedom, the pursuit of happiness, and justice. A piece of our hearts will forever be with the Kirk family, and we pray that God will continue to watch over them. … In this moment, we must hold our loved ones close. Furthermore, we must tone down radical rhetoric and reflect on the importance of our words and actions.
“Charlie’s mission — among other things, and the foundation of America — is simple: encourage peaceful dialogue,” the statement continues. “On this dark day, we call on all Americans to turn down radical rhetoric and remember the American ideals that Charlie and our county have proudly stood for — and will continue to uphold.”
For her part, Randall, the St. George mayor, is hoping the shooting does not permanently cloud the county’s reputation.
“We take pride in our community and have a reputation for being kind and loving to everyone,” she said. “It’s hard to conceive that anyone from our area would assassinate someone because they didn’t share that person’s beliefs. As disconcerting as this is, it is not a reflection of our community.”