DNA on a towel wrapped around the suspected gun used to kill Charlie Kirk has been matched to the suspect in custody, the director of the FBI said on Monday. Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested over the death of the right-wing influencer at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. A bolt-action rifle was recovered near the shooting, and a screwdriver was found on the roof from where the fatal shot was fired.
'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,' Kash Patel told Fox and Friends.
A formal charge is expected this week. A motive has yet to be determined. The FBI director also mentioned a note discovered at the suspect's home, which vowed to 'take out' Kirk. It's 'basically saying... 'I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk', and I'm going to take it...that note was written before the shooting,' said Patel. He added, 'even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note'.
Investigators are also looking at social media accounts used by Robinson, according to the BBC's US news partner CBS, and any signs that anyone may have known about or encouraged the shooting beforehand. According to a Utah County Sheriff inmate booking sheet, Robinson is accused of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm.
The breakthrough comes as Utah Governor Spencer Cox reported that Robinson had been refusing to cooperate with investigators and had not confessed to the shooting. Cox added that Robinson's roommate and partner had been helping with the investigation.
Vice-President JD Vance hosted a tribute episode of Kirk's daily podcast from the White House, speaking with conservative personalities and Trump administration aides to remember the 31-year-old, a long-time ally of the president. The administration is expected to work on dismantling institutions that promote violence and terrorism.
'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,' Kash Patel told Fox and Friends.
A formal charge is expected this week. A motive has yet to be determined. The FBI director also mentioned a note discovered at the suspect's home, which vowed to 'take out' Kirk. It's 'basically saying... 'I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk', and I'm going to take it...that note was written before the shooting,' said Patel. He added, 'even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note'.
Investigators are also looking at social media accounts used by Robinson, according to the BBC's US news partner CBS, and any signs that anyone may have known about or encouraged the shooting beforehand. According to a Utah County Sheriff inmate booking sheet, Robinson is accused of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm.
The breakthrough comes as Utah Governor Spencer Cox reported that Robinson had been refusing to cooperate with investigators and had not confessed to the shooting. Cox added that Robinson's roommate and partner had been helping with the investigation.
Vice-President JD Vance hosted a tribute episode of Kirk's daily podcast from the White House, speaking with conservative personalities and Trump administration aides to remember the 31-year-old, a long-time ally of the president. The administration is expected to work on dismantling institutions that promote violence and terrorism.
