FBI’s Patel Delivers Stunning New Details On Kirk Assassin

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Friday that investigators received more than 11,000 public tips before identifying and arresting the man accused of murdering Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody after a multi-agency manhunt that began Wednesday, when Kirk was shot in the neck while engaging students in a campus forum. Kirk, 31, a father of two, later died at the hospital.

Patel, alongside Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R), provided further details at a press conference, explaining that Robinson had been in contact with a roommate over the Discord platform about how to return to the crime scene and recover the weapon he had left behind. He was also allegedly communicating with an unidentified party on Discord about stashing the suspected Mauser 30.06 caliber rifle believed to be the murder weapon, as well as what clothing he wore during the attack.

Authorities noted that Robinson’s father recognized his son in FBI-released surveillance images and, with the help of a local pastor, persuaded him to surrender to the U.S. Marshals.

Gov. Cox said surveillance footage captured Robinson arriving on campus in a gray Dodge Challenger. Investigators later recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle along his flight path. According to FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls, forensic evidence collected from the weapon and surrounding area included a palm print, a footprint, and even a forearm impression.

Officials also disclosed disturbing details about Robinson’s mindset. Patel confirmed that bullet casings recovered from the scene carried bizarre and hostile engravings, including: “Hey Fascist! Catch!,” “Bella Ciao,” and “If you read this, you are gay lmao.”

Family members told investigators that Robinson had grown “more political” in recent years, with one relative recalling a conversation in which Robinson complained about Kirk’s presence on campus. Patel stated that Robinson harbored negative views of the conservative leader, who was well known for mobilizing young Americans in defense of free speech and traditional values.

President Donald J. Trump reacted to the arrest Friday on “Fox & Friends,” saying, “I think with a high-degree of certainty, we have him. Essentially, someone who knew him turned him in.” Trump later added: “We have the person that we think is the person we’re looking for, but they drove into the police headquarters, and he’s there now.”

The assassination has shaken conservatives nationwide. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as students and supporters screamed and dove for cover after the single shot rang out. Video evidence suggests the fatal round was fired from a rooftop roughly 200 yards away, across the plaza from where Kirk was seated under a tent.

As the FBI moves forward with prosecution, Kirk’s allies and Turning Point USA leaders have vowed to continue the mission he began—energizing a generation of young conservatives determined to defend freedom against political violence and intimidation.