The shocking assassination of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk has taken a new turn as investigators explore whether the accused gunman acted alone or was part of something bigger. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed Monday that the bureau is digging into evidence suggesting the suspect may have been “consumed” by an extremist ideology before carrying out the fatal attack. The possibility that others may have played a role—whether by supporting, funding, or simply ignoring warning signs—has prompted federal authorities to widen their investigation.
Bongino, speaking on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, emphasized that one arrest does not close the case. “If this was a larger effort, if there was any aiding and abetting, whether financial or someone who knew the specifics and failed to report that, we’re looking into that,” he explained. “There’s not going to be a stone left unturned.” The FBI is carefully reviewing all leads to determine whether the shooter had help in planning or executing the attack.
Part of the breakthrough came from surveillance footage showing the suspect leaping from a rooftop immediately after the fatal shot. According to Bongino, this video provided a “significant portion of the forensic evidence” that allowed investigators to connect the dots. He added that the suspect had previously expressed violent intentions, a troubling sign often seen in targeted attacks such as assassinations or mass shootings.
Family members and coworkers have since told investigators that the suspect’s behavior changed dramatically in the weeks before the September 10 attack. He had become withdrawn, politically fixated, and increasingly hostile. Bongino concluded that the data points to an “ideologically motivated” killing, suggesting that Kirk was deliberately targeted. “It appears from the evidence we’ve gathered that this ideology had infected him and taken over,” he said, underscoring why the FBI is leaving no angle unchecked.