The FBI has revealed new details in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying the suspected gunman left behind messages threatening to assassinate him and was linked to the crime scene through DNA evidence.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson acted alone in the shooting, though his motive remains unclear. Investigators discovered that Robinson had written a note about his plan, declaring he had the “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk.” Though the note was destroyed, its existence was confirmed through witness interviews.
Authorities also say Robinson sent a text message about his plan and later confessed on Discord, writing: “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this,” shortly before his arrest. Forensic teams matched Robinson’s DNA to a towel wrapped around the suspected rifle and to a screwdriver found on the rooftop sniper perch where the attack was carried out.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson has refused to cooperate with investigators. His family and friends are being questioned as authorities try to determine what drove him to the attack.
Robinson is expected to be formally charged, with his first court hearing scheduled via video link from jail.
The killing has fueled debates over rising political violence in the United States. Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, suggested that left-wing groups contributed to the environment that led to Kirk’s assassination, while Democrats argue that political violence has affected both sides. Vice President JD Vance also pointed to left-wing extremism as a cause during an appearance on Kirk’s podcast.
Kirk, remembered by supporters as a driving force in energizing young conservatives during Trump’s campaign, was also seen by critics as a divisive figure who spread election misinformation and used harsh rhetoric.
Governor Cox said Robinson, raised in a conservative Mormon family, had drifted from his upbringing in recent years. Records show he was not affiliated with any political party and did not vote in the 2024 election. Relatives told police he had recently expressed a strong dislike for Kirk, raising questions about possible online radicalization.
Across the country, tributes and vigils are being held. In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson led a memorial in the U.S. Capitol, while in Utah, mourners left flowers, prayers, and Bible verses near the site of the shooting.
Local residents expressed shock, with some saying Robinson had once been seen as a normal young man before his recent troubling behavior. One mourner described the tragedy as a battle between “good and evil,” urging people not to reduce it to political differences.
