FBI Director Kash Patel says DNA evidence links Tyler Robinson, 22, to the crime scene of conservative American activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
DNA matching Tyler Robinson was found on both a towel wrapped around the firearm used in the crime and on a screwdriver recovered from the crime scene, according to Patel.
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Following a 33-hour manhunt, Robinson was arrested by the police on Thursday.
Commenting on Fox News’s Fox & Friends, Patel noted, “The DNA from the towel around the firearm and on the screwdriver has been identified and matched to the suspect, Tyler Robinson.”
Additionally, Patel mentioned that Robinson expressed a desire to “take out” Kirk in a text message exchange and had written a note detailing his plans for the criminal act. Despite the note being destroyed, investigators found forensic evidence of its existence at Robinson and his romantic partner’s home, who has been cooperative with the investigation.
“The evidence in the note was clear: it stated a plan to take out Charlie Kirk,” Patel said.
Kirk, the CEO, and cofounder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth activist organization, and a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, was shot dead during a speaking event at a university in Utah.
Kirk’s death has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum and highlighted deep political divisions within the United States, with fears of further political violence. It has also incited calls for revenge, including from Trump, who has vowed to take action against left-wing groups he believes are fueling the violence.
Trump has considered bringing racketeering charges against left-wing groups presumed to fund violent agitators and has suggested labeling the loosely organized antifascist group Antifa as domestic terrorists.
As a response to Trump’s plan to target left-wing extremism following Kirk’s murder, Democratic lawmaker Greg Casar accused the Trump administration of exploiting the incident to suppress legitimate political opposition.
There has been a surge in politically motivated violence and threats in the US, targeting figures on both the left and right. Experts also confirm an increase in such incidents, with over 250 threats and harassment cases against local officials reported in the first half of 2025, marking a 9 percent increase from the previous year.
Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah previously reported that Robinson held left-wing views. Patricia echoed this statement, indicating that Robinson’s family informed investigators that he had adopted left-wing ideals, particularly in the past couple of years.
