OREM, Utah (AP) — Investigators have connected DNA from a towel around a rifle found at the scene of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination to Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of the crime, as confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday.
The investigation also noted that Robinson's DNA was tied to a screwdriver discovered on the rooftop where the deadly shot originated. The Utah authorities are preparing to formally charge Robinson with capital murder as early as Tuesday, following the shooting incident that claimed the life of Kirk, an influential figure in conservative politics and supporter of Donald Trump.
The shooting raised alarms about rising political violence in an increasingly divided nation, especially against conservative figures. Kumar, known for drawing young evangelicals into politics, was shot during a speech at Utah Valley University.
Robinson reportedly expressed animosity towards Kirk, aligning himself with a radicalized online ideology. Friends and family noted his time spent on the internet's darker side, a concern echoed by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Before the shooting, Robinson allegedly wrote a note expressing his intention to kill Kirk, although the specific content of the note was not disclosed to the public. Law enforcement also indicated that numerous bullets recovered from the scene included anti-fascist messages.
Robinson was arrested near his hometown of St. George, Utah. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation following his arrest. Meanwhile, tributes to Kirk have been ongoing, including vigils across the country and moments of silence at sporting events.
Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk, expressed his intent to honor Kirk's memory by hosting his talk show on Rumble, a streaming platform, on Monday.
The investigation also noted that Robinson's DNA was tied to a screwdriver discovered on the rooftop where the deadly shot originated. The Utah authorities are preparing to formally charge Robinson with capital murder as early as Tuesday, following the shooting incident that claimed the life of Kirk, an influential figure in conservative politics and supporter of Donald Trump.
The shooting raised alarms about rising political violence in an increasingly divided nation, especially against conservative figures. Kumar, known for drawing young evangelicals into politics, was shot during a speech at Utah Valley University.
Robinson reportedly expressed animosity towards Kirk, aligning himself with a radicalized online ideology. Friends and family noted his time spent on the internet's darker side, a concern echoed by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Before the shooting, Robinson allegedly wrote a note expressing his intention to kill Kirk, although the specific content of the note was not disclosed to the public. Law enforcement also indicated that numerous bullets recovered from the scene included anti-fascist messages.
Robinson was arrested near his hometown of St. George, Utah. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation following his arrest. Meanwhile, tributes to Kirk have been ongoing, including vigils across the country and moments of silence at sporting events.
Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk, expressed his intent to honor Kirk's memory by hosting his talk show on Rumble, a streaming platform, on Monday.
