Robinson Had ‘Obsession’ With Kirk, Wrote He Had Perfect Plan To ‘Take Out’ Kirk
Federal investigators say Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, was consumed by a dangerous obsession with the conservative leader and left behind chilling evidence of his intent.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, speaking Monday on Fox News, said Robinson repeatedly voiced hatred toward Kirk and bragged about his plan to kill him.
“I think it’s pretty clear based on the statements of family members, friends and some of the messaging we have on these digital footprints left behind that [Robinson] clearly had some obsession with Charlie Kirk,” Bongino explained.
“Charlie Kirk is obviously a conservative commentator,” he added. “I think it’s fairly obvious to everyone out there, and there’s no need to parse words with it, that clearly this was an ideologically motivated attack.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, in a separate interview on Fox & Friends, revealed that Robinson even told someone about his plan before pulling the trigger. “He had a text message exchange with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk — and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for,” Patel said.
Investigators also uncovered a written note — destroyed but recovered through forensic analysis — in which Robinson vowed, “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” Patel confirmed the note was composed before the assassination and was linked back to Robinson’s shared residence with his boyfriend.
Evidence continues to mount. Patel said DNA was discovered on a towel used to wrap the firearm and on a screwdriver left behind in the sniper’s nest. “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,” Patel confirmed.
A bolt-action hunting rifle found near the scene is still undergoing evaluation, with forensic labs expected to release findings shortly.
Bongino underscored that multiple “warning signs” about Robinson’s radicalization were missed. “There appear to have been multiple warning signs,” he said, noting that Robinson’s friends, family, and co-workers had observed his shift toward left-wing politics and increasingly hostile behavior when political issues were discussed.
Patel added that investigators are learning “shocking things” from Robinson’s family, including confirmation that he embraced a leftist worldview in recent years and grew more extreme leading up to the murder. While Robinson has refused to cooperate with police, those close to him — including his transgender boyfriend — have provided useful information.
Robinson is being held in custody and is expected to be formally charged with murder on Tuesday.
Kirk, a husband and father of two, was fatally shot in the neck while addressing students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. His assassination has sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and underscored the growing threat of politically motivated violence in America.