The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk sent text messages saying he planned to kill Kirk and left DNA evidence at the crime scene, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel shared the update Monday during an appearance on Fox & Friends, nearly a week after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, allegedly used a rifle to fire a single shot that struck Kirk in the neck as he answered audience questions.
Investigators say Robinson exchanged text messages with another person before the attack, claiming he had an opportunity to “take out Charlie Kirk” and was “going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.”
The FBI is still investigating why the person who received the texts did not alert authorities.
Patel said agents recovered a towel wrapped around the rifle that carried Robinson’s DNA, as well as a screwdriver with matching DNA found on the roof of a campus building near the shooting site.
Robinson’s father reportedly recognized his son from FBI suspect photos and contacted a youth pastor, who then alerted U.S. Marshals, leading to Robinson’s arrest.
The FBI has not released details on a possible motive beyond the texts, and the investigation remains ongoing.
