FBI director Kash Patel on Monday revealed a key development in the investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk . Patel said the agency has recovered a “text thread” in which the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, wrote that he had the chance to kill Kirk and planned to act out of “hatred that cannot be negotiated with.”
In an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” FBI director Patel said investigators believe Tyler Robinson also wrote a physical note stating he had the “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and would do so. Patel said the note was destroyed, but investigators have gathered forensic evidence proving it once existed and confirmed its contents through interviews.
Also read: JD Vance hosts 'The Charlie Kirk Show': US VP lashes out at liberals; recalls Erika’s tribute
“I will say what was found in terms of information, a text message exchange where he, the suspect specifically stated that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was gonna do that,” FBI director said.
He added, “When he was asked why, he said some hatred cannot be negotiated with.”
“I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,” Patel told Fox & Friends.
Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed a motive in the case. Law enforcement officials say they believe Robinson acted alone in the shooting of Kirk but are still examining whether anyone else may have been involved in planning the attack.
Also read: '100% chance he'd be killed': Did Charlie Kirk play down security intel? The warning he may have brushed aside
Separately, the Washington Post reported Monday that Robinson had sent a message on the online platform Discord apparently confessing to the crime on Thursday night, just before his arrest.
“It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this,” read a message from Robinson’s account, according to the newspaper, which cited two people familiar with the chat and screenshots it had reviewed.
Kirk, 31, a MAGA star, was shot dead last week during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. He had been speaking and taking questions about the long-running culture of mass shootings and gun violence in America when the attack took place.
US President Donald Trump , visibly affected by the death of his young ally, confirmed Kirk’s killing on Truth Social.
He also posted a four-minute video calling the murder “an assassination” and remembering Kirk as “a patriot who devoted his life to open debate and the country he loved so much.”
Who is Tyler Robinson?
The suspect, arrested and identified by authorities for Kirk's assassination is a 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident.
Also read: Charlie Kirk shooting: Where did Tyler Robinson get Mauser 98 rifle? Did anyone from the crowd help him?
Robinson is a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College in St. George, Utah.
State records show Robinson is a registered voter but unaffiliated with any political party. He did not vote in the two most recent general elections, despite being of voting age.
In an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” FBI director Patel said investigators believe Tyler Robinson also wrote a physical note stating he had the “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and would do so. Patel said the note was destroyed, but investigators have gathered forensic evidence proving it once existed and confirmed its contents through interviews.
Also read: JD Vance hosts 'The Charlie Kirk Show': US VP lashes out at liberals; recalls Erika’s tribute
“I will say what was found in terms of information, a text message exchange where he, the suspect specifically stated that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was gonna do that,” FBI director said.
He added, “When he was asked why, he said some hatred cannot be negotiated with.”
BREAKING: FBI Director Kash Patel says a text thread was uncovered where Charlie Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, wrote that he had the chance to kill Kirk, and planned to do it out of “hatred that cannot be negotiated with.”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 16, 2025
“I will say what was found in terms of information, a… pic.twitter.com/No9fMwRQ8j
“I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,” Patel told Fox & Friends.
Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed a motive in the case. Law enforcement officials say they believe Robinson acted alone in the shooting of Kirk but are still examining whether anyone else may have been involved in planning the attack.
Also read: '100% chance he'd be killed': Did Charlie Kirk play down security intel? The warning he may have brushed aside
Separately, the Washington Post reported Monday that Robinson had sent a message on the online platform Discord apparently confessing to the crime on Thursday night, just before his arrest.
“It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this,” read a message from Robinson’s account, according to the newspaper, which cited two people familiar with the chat and screenshots it had reviewed.
Kirk, 31, a MAGA star, was shot dead last week during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. He had been speaking and taking questions about the long-running culture of mass shootings and gun violence in America when the attack took place.
US President Donald Trump , visibly affected by the death of his young ally, confirmed Kirk’s killing on Truth Social.
He also posted a four-minute video calling the murder “an assassination” and remembering Kirk as “a patriot who devoted his life to open debate and the country he loved so much.”
Who is Tyler Robinson?
The suspect, arrested and identified by authorities for Kirk's assassination is a 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident.
Also read: Charlie Kirk shooting: Where did Tyler Robinson get Mauser 98 rifle? Did anyone from the crowd help him?
Robinson is a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College in St. George, Utah.
State records show Robinson is a registered voter but unaffiliated with any political party. He did not vote in the two most recent general elections, despite being of voting age.
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