DNA Found Near Scene Of Charlie Kirk's Shooting Matches Suspect
DNA on a towel wrapped around a rifle found near where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated matched that of the 22-year-old accused in the killing, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
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Utah:
DNA evidence on a towel wrapping a rifle discovered near conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination site matched that of 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Monday.
Patel revealed to Fox News Channel that investigators have also connected Robinson through DNA evidence to a screwdriver found on the rooftop from which the fatal shot was fired.
Utah authorities are expected to file capital murder charges against Robinson as early as Tuesday for killing Kirk, a prominent conservative political figure who became close to President Donald Trump after establishing Turning Point USA in Arizona, one of the country's largest political organizations.
Kirk, known for mobilizing young conservative evangelical Christians in politics, was fatally shot Wednesday while addressing students at Utah Valley University during one of his many campus appearances. The assassination has intensified concerns about escalating political violence in an increasingly divided United States.
Officials reported that Robinson harbored hatred toward Kirk and embraced a "leftist ideology" that had intensified in recent years. According to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Robinson's family and friends described how he spent considerable time exploring "dark corners of the internet."
In his Fox News interview, Patel disclosed that Robinson had written a note before the shooting stating his intention to take advantage of an opportunity to kill Kirk. Investigators managed to recover the note's contents after it had been destroyed, though Patel only paraphrased its message without revealing specific details.
Authorities stated that Robinson has been uncooperative with law enforcement. They believe he may have been "radicalized" online and noted that ammunition in the murder weapon featured engravings with anti-fascist and meme-culture language. Court documents reveal that one bullet casing bore the message, "Hey, fascist! Catch!"
Robinson was apprehended late Thursday near his hometown of St. George, in southwestern Utah between Las Vegas and the Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It remains unclear if he has legal representation.
Tributes to Kirk continue nationwide. Mourners formed a line around Washington's Kennedy Center for a Sunday vigil, while moments of silence were observed at various professional sporting events.
Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk's, planned to guest host Kirk's talk show on the streaming platform Rumble on Monday.
"Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend," Vance wrote on social media.