Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, had vowed to "take out" the conservative commentator because he "hated" his beliefs — and bragged that he had come up with the perfect plan, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed on Monday.
"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 told "Fox & Friends." It's unclear when Robinson sent the text, but on Wednesday, he carried out the threat, shooting Kirk in the neck at a Utah Valley University rally.
Executing His Plan
But the accused gunman — a trade-school student deeply involved in the "furry" community and in a relationship with a partner transitioning from male to female — later put the same violent idea down in writing, according to Patel.
The FBI director did not reveal the identity of the partner or say whether they might face charges for not coming forward earlier.
"The written note, we believe, did exist, and we have evidence to show what was in that note," which basically had Robinson again "saying, 'I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it,'" Patel said.
"That note was written before the shooting," the FBI director explained, saying it was discovered in the home Robinson shared with his boyfriend.
"We have since learned that the note, even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note, and we have confirmed what that note says," he continued.
Patel also mentioned that investigators have recently uncovered "some shocking things" from Robinson's family and friends — including his transgender boyfriend — and confirmed that Robinson had been moving further to the left politically.
Chilling Revelations
Patel said investigators have serious new evidence against Robinson, including DNA from a towel used to cover the murder weapon when it was discarded, as well as a screwdriver left behind in the sniper's nest on a rooftop near Kirk's event.
"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 stated.
He added that the bolt-action hunting rifle found nearby is still undergoing tests, with an announcement from the lab expected soon.
Patel confirmed that Robinson is not cooperating with investigators, but noted that several people close to him — including his family — have been assisting in the case.
"His family has collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology and even more so in these last couple of years," Patel explained.
Robinson is still in custody and is set to be formally charged with murder on Tuesday.
Kirk was killed last week at a Turning Point USA event on the Orem campus, where about 3,000 people were in attendance. Patel — who had been a close friend of Kirk — paid a touching tribute at a press conference on Thursday
"Lastly, to my friend Charlie Kirk, rest now, brother. We have the watch and I'll see you in Valhalla," he said.
