OREM, Utah (AP) — In a shocking development surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, DNA evidence found on a towel wrapped around a rifle has matched that of the suspect, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old accused in the killing. This revelation was made by FBI Director Kash Patel during an interview with Fox News Channel on Monday. Investigators have also linked Robinson to a screwdriver discovered on the rooftop from where Kirk was shot, further solidifying the evidence against him.
Authorities in Utah are preparing to file capital murder charges against Robinson as early as Tuesday in connection with the death of Kirk. This incident has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, particularly because Kirk was a prominent figure in conservative politics and a close confidant of former President Donald Trump. Kirk was well-known for founding Turning Point USA, one of the country's largest political organizations aimed at engaging young conservative evangelical Christians in politics.
Kirk was tragically shot on Wednesday while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University as part of his campus tour. The shooting has ignited concerns regarding the rise of political violence in an increasingly polarized United States.
Investigators have revealed that Robinson harbored a deep-seated hatred for Kirk, allegedly subscribing to a “leftist ideology” that has become more prevalent in recent years. Utah Governor Spencer Cox commented on Robinson’s online behavior, indicating that he spent considerable time exploring the “dark corners of the internet.”
In a chilling prelude to the shooting, Patel disclosed that Robinson had written a note expressing his intent to "take out" Kirk. Although the note was destroyed, investigators managed to recover its contents. Patel paraphrased the note but did not disclose specific details. Authorities also noted that Robinson has not been cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation.
It has been suggested that Robinson may have been “radicalized” online, as evidenced by the engravings found on the ammunition used in the shooting. Some of the ammunition bore anti-fascist slogans and references to meme culture. Notably, one bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!”
Robinson was arrested late Thursday near his hometown of St. George, located in the southwestern corner of Utah, an area between Las Vegas and the scenic Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has legal representation, and his family has declined to comment to The Associated Press.
In the wake of Kirk's tragic death, tributes have poured in from across the nation. A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington drew a line of mourners, and several professional sporting events observed moments of silence in his honor. Vice President JD Vance, who considered Kirk a close friend, stepped in as a guest host for Kirk's talk show on the streaming platform Rumble on Monday. “Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend,” Vance expressed on social media.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover more details about the incident and its implications for political discourse in the United States.
