OREM, Utah (AP) – DNA evidence collected from a towel wrapped around a rifle discovered near the scene of Charlie Kirk's assassination has matched that of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is being accused of the murder. FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this information on a recent episode of "Fox & Friends.” Investigators have also identified a link between Robinson and a screwdriver found on the rooftop from which the fatal shot was fired.
Authorities in Utah are expected to file capital murder charges against Robinson as early as Tuesday. Charlie Kirk, a prominent figure in conservative politics and the founder of Arizona-based Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. This incident has raised serious concerns about the rising threat of political violence in a highly polarized United States.
Investigations reveal that Robinson may have targeted Kirk due to a personal hatred and a leftist ideology that he adopted over time. Family and friends of Robinson reported that he spent considerable time exploring the “dark corners of the internet,” as noted by Utah Governor Spencer Cox. Additionally, Patel mentioned that Robinson had written a note prior to the shooting, indicating his intentions to kill Kirk. Although the note was destroyed, investigators managed to recover its contents, though specific details have not been disclosed.
Over the weekend, it was revealed that Robinson’s romantic partner is transgender, leading to questions about whether Robinson’s motivations were linked to Kirk’s views against transgender individuals. Utah’s Department of Public Safety Chief, Commissioner Beau Mason, stated that they are assessing the partner's potential involvement while confirming that Robinson acted independently during the shooting.
Authorities indicated that Robinson has not been cooperative with law enforcement since his arrest on suspicion of aggravated murder. Investigators suspect that he may have been radicalized through online influences, as ammunition found in the firearm used in Kirk's murder bore engravings linked to antifascist sentiments and meme culture. In court records, one bullet casing was noted to have the phrase, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” inscribed on it.
Robinson was arrested on Thursday in the vicinity of his childhood home in St. George, Utah, which is located between Las Vegas and Utah’s famous national parks, Bryce Canyon and Zion. It remains unclear if he has retained legal counsel, as his family has not commented on the situation. An additional arrest was made during the aftermath of the shooting when a man, George Zinn, shouted, “I shot him, now shoot me.” Zinn later confessed that he made that statement to allow the true suspect to escape.
In the wake of the shooting, security experts have criticized the level of protection at the event, including the number of officers present and the decision to host it outdoors. Kirk was known for favoring direct engagement with students on campus tours, often holding events close to the participants. The security measures varied greatly from one event to another.
Tributes to Charlie Kirk have emerged nationwide. A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington attracted a long line of mourners, and moments of silence for Kirk were observed at several professional sports events. On Monday, a large American flag was displayed from a walkway near the location where Kirk was shot. A memorial adorned with flowers and flags has been established outside the university, where many have left chalk messages, including biblical verses and more intense expressions such as, “Bullets can’t stop the truth.”
Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk, served as a substitute host for “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Rumble on Monday. He shared an emotional account of his conversation with Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who described her husband as always kind and never mean-spirited. Vance expressed his commitment to becoming a better husband and father in honor of his late friend.
