Charlie Kirk murder suspect linked to crime scene evidence through DNA match, FBI director says

The man accused of fatally shooting conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah university last week has been linked to evidence found at the scene through DNA sequencing, FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday.

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, was arrested and faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice in connection with the shooting last Wednesday at Utah Valley University.

He is being held in Utah County Jail and is expected to be charged on Tuesday. It is not immediately clear if he has a lawyer.

Robinson’s actions were premeditated and based on his political, left-leaning beliefs, Patel said Monday in an interview on “Fox & Friends.”

“His family has collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology, and even more so in these last couple of years, and he had a text message exchange — he, the suspect, 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, ” the FBI director said.

Patel said that DNA matching Robinson was found on a towel allegedly wrapped around a firearm that was discarded in a wooded area near the university. The DNA was also found on a screwdriver found on a rooftop, Patel said.

Patel added on “Fox & Friends” that he and FBI agents “walked the entire crime scene” after he arrived in Utah and found the evidence.

“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 said.

Patel also defended his record in handling the case, which has received sharp criticism over alleged “grandstanding” and the announcement that “the subject” was in custody shortly before that person was released without charge.

This is a developing story — check back here for updates soon.