Washington, Utah, located just southwest of Zion National Park, is surrounded by cinematic mesas and has long been a hub for exploring the natural wonders of the American west.
Yet the last 48 hours have left residents wondering how the portal to the most beautiful parts of the country may have produced one of its ugliest acts of political violence in years.
Public records and police statements indicate that Tyler Robinson, the man authorities accused of killing the conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this week, resided in the area. On Saturday, authorities released an affidavit charging him with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
Local and federal law enforcement descended on typically quiet blocks in Washington and nearby St George, banging on doors and closing off streets as they carried out a high stakes investigation.
Outside the home tied to Mr Robinson and his parents in Washington, neighbours expressed shock that a fellow resident could have committed such an attack.
'You don't expect it'
It shakes up a community because you don't expect it, said Addi Jacobson, 20, who recently moved into her grandmother's house in the neighbourhood.
Ms Jacobson said she did not personally know the Robinson family, but her grandmother did.
She just was saying that she thinks that, from what she's seen and what she knows, they're a great family, just regular citizens, Ms Jacobson said. She used the words, 'very patriotic people.'
We knew their family. Our whole neighbourhood is so close, said another neighbour who lived around the corner. She asked not to be named due to the heated political and online conversation around Kirk's murder.
She recalled Tyler Robinson was a pretty quiet kid, though his younger brothers were more involved in community and sports. She called his mother, Amber Robinson, an amazing parent, and his father, Matthew Robinson, a hard worker.
On 10 September, Kirk was shot in front of hundreds of students and observers and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Videos of the carnage spread across social media, and President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and leaders of both major US political parties condemned the assassination.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated, This is a good family. A normal childhood. All of those things that you would hope would never lead to something like this. And sadly, it did.
A number of neighbors described Robinson's quiet disposition, expressing disbelief at the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
'It blows your mind'
As conversations about the event unfolded, community members reflected on the implications of the shooting amid ongoing political tensions.
Sherri Steele, a resident across the street from Robinson’s apartment, shared her unsettling experience of witnessing the police presence and chaos encountered just days after the tragic event.
Authorities announced plans to file formal charges against Robinson soon, ensuring the community remains vigilant and affected by the aftershocks of such a significant act of violence that has implications far beyond their serene neighborhood.
