New details have emerged in the investigation surrounding the attack on conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and they are more disturbing than anyone expected. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, sent messages to a close acquaintance saying he had a chance to “take out Charlie Kirk” and that he was “going to do it.” These messages, Patel explained, were uncovered through forensic analysis and are now a critical part of the case. The revelation has intensified public concern and raised questions about how such threats could go unnoticed until it was too late.
During a Monday interview on Fox & Friends, Patel described the discovery as one of the most “shocking” findings of the federal probe. Investigators also matched Robinson’s DNA to items left behind, including a screwdriver recovered from the roof of Utah Valley University and a towel wrapped around a weapon found near the site of the attack. While the firearm itself is still undergoing processing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Patel confirmed that the other forensic evidence directly links Robinson to the crime scene.
Patel emphasized the careful process required to make evidence admissible in court. The FBI, he said, followed strict legal procedures to obtain chat records, phone data, and location tracking from cell towers. These steps ensure that prosecutors can build a solid case without the risk of evidence being thrown out. Patel noted that investigators are also reviewing conversations in a Discord chat room tied to the suspect, which includes “scores of individuals” who may soon be interviewed. He stressed that while the motive is for prosecutors to argue, the facts uncovered so far point to deep ideological hostility toward Kirk.
The FBI director also shared that Robinson’s own family had expressed concerns about his increasing radicalization in recent years. Still, the most unsettling question remains unanswered: why did the individual who received those alarming text messages never alert authorities? As Patel explained, that mystery is still under investigation. For now, the case underscores the importance of vigilance, transparency, and ensuring that threats of violence are never dismissed before tragedy strikes.