Charlie Kirk suspect Tyler Robinson has been linked to bombshell DNA evidence by the director of the FBI, Kash Patel. Mr Patel told Fox News on Monday that he and officials from the agency scoured the scene in the aftermath of the shooting and found DNA evidence, including on a screwdriver found on a rooftop at Utah Valley University where right wing activist Mr Kirk was fatally shot while speaking to students on September 10.
The FBI director said he and colleagues also visited a wooded area where he said the gun used to kill Mr Kirk had been discarded. He said the firearm had a towel wrapped around it, which he described as “important”. Mr Patel added: “I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody.”
Mr Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder and other offences last Thursday (September 11). He remains in custody. Prosecutors have been drawing up formal charges.
Mr Patel told Fox News that the gun itself is still being examined at a laboratory in Maryland. Recalling the initial response, he said the FBI was securing the scene in Utah 16 minutes after the shooting. The first images of the suspect were released at 10am local time the day after the shooting.
Video footage was then released to the public as the manhunt continued and within two hours the suspect was in custody because his father had informed the FBI that he believed it was his son, according to Mr Patel.
Asked about Discord group chats said to include Mr Robinson joking with pals about the shooting, Mr Patel said the FBI investigation is still ongoing and has to obtain legal permission before it can access the alleged messages.
But he said the FBI was able to obtain in record time a chain of text messages between the suspect and his transgender partner on top of information which enabled detectives to track his movements.
Mr Patel said: “We learnt some shocking things when we spoke to his family and friends as well.”
The FBI boss said the suspect followed “left wing ideology” and exchanged texts with another person in which he claimed he had an opportunity to take out Mr Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what the influencer stood for.
He told Fox News: “Those are factually accurate, investigatory findings by the FBI that we’ve handed over to the local authorities and the federal authorities to make their prosecutorial decisions.
“But I believe in this instance of public importance, the public has a right to know. I’ve told you I’m committed to transparency and that’s what I’m doing today.”
Mr Robinson grew up around St George in Utah. He had been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church, from a young age.
A high school honour roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardised tests, he was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship.
He attended just one term, according to the university. He is currently enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St George.
Records show Mr Robinson is registered to vote but isn’t affiliated with a political party. He is listed as inactive, meaning he didn’t vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
The alleged shooter is reportedly refusing to cooperate with the authorities and is under special watch in custody.