Federal investigators have confirmed that DNA evidence has directly linked 22-year-old Tyler Robinson to the murder of U.S conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during a public appearance in Utah last week.
FBI Director Kash Patel, speaking in a televised interview on Monday, revealed that forensic tests matched Robinson’s DNA to two items recovered at the scene, a towel used to wrap the murder weapon and a screwdriver found nearby.
“The DNA hits from the towel and the screwdriver have been positively identified as belonging to the suspect currently in custody,” Patel said on Fox News.
Robinson was apprehended Thursday following an intensive 33-hour manhunt.
Authorities say he used a sniper rifle to fire a single fatal shot to Kirk’s neck from a rooftop vantage point during a speaking engagement at a Utah university on September 11.
Investigators also uncovered further evidence pointing to premeditation.
A note allegedly written by Robinson before the attack was discovered at his family home.
“The note essentially stated, ‘I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it,’” Patel disclosed, adding that although the original note had been destroyed, forensic teams were able to recover partial evidence of its content.
Kirk, 31, was a well-known right-wing political activist and a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.
He was the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization focused on engaging young people in American politics.
Over the years, he built a large following across social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where he often shared edited clips from campus debates and strongly criticized progressive causes, particularly transgender rights.
Formal charges against Robinson are expected to be filed later this week.
