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By Toby Meyjes and Shane Croucher
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FBI Director Kash Patel said Tyler Robinson, the suspected killer of Charlie Kirk, wrote a note stating his intention to "take out" the influential conservative activist.
The new information provided by Patel is the latest development in the investigation into Robinson. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sunday that investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on the Turning Point USA co-founder.
Why It Matters
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10 during a question-and-answer session on campus.
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His death has caused an outpouring of grief from his fans and followers, though some of his critics have celebrated his demise, raising concerns about more polarization and hostility in U.S. political life sparking violence.
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What To Know
Patel, speaking to Fox & Friends on Monday, said the FBI had "forensic evidence" of the note, but that it had "since been destroyed."
Summarizing the note, Patel he that Robinson wrote, "I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
"That note was written before the shooting," Patel said.
"It was kept in the home of the suspect and his alleged transgender partner," Patel said, adding that investigators "confirmed what that note says because of our aggressive interview posture at the FBI."
Speaking on Sunday,Cox said the suspect's partner was transgender, however, authorities have not said whether it is relevant as they investigate Robinson's possible motive, The Associated Press reported.
"The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female," Cox said. "I can say that he has been incredibly cooperative, this partner has been very cooperative, had no idea that this was happening."
According to state records, Robinson is registered to vote but is not affiliated with a political party and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
"There clearly was a leftist ideology," Cox said on NBC's Meet the Press, citing interviews with Robinson's relatives and acquaintances.
"Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep, dark internet, the Reddit culture, and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep," he added.
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DNA Evidence at Scene of Shooting
Patel said investigators have found DNA evidence linking Robinson to the scene of the shooting last week.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, the FBI director said the suspect's DNA was found on a screwdriver left on the rooftop, as well as a towel that was wrapped around a discarded weapon.
He told the show: "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."
The FBI Director said authorities had also seen a text message exchange between the suspect and another unnamed individual "in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred of what Charlie stood for."
Patel did not say who the individual was and was not able to answer a question on if they could face potential charges.
What People Are Saying
Utah Governor Spencer Cox told Meet the Press on Sunday: "President Trump is angry, and he has every right to be angry. A lot of Americans are very angry right now, and there clearly was a leftist ideology with this assassin. I totally understand that anger."
FBI Director Kash Patel, on Fox & Friends: "His [the suspect's] family have collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology and even more so in these last couple of years."
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Kirk on Fox News: "He was such a great guy…you know in many ways he's bigger now because of what happened. He was really big, important, and I guess this doesn't help his family very much when I say this…
"You know we have so many bad people, so many bad philosophies, ideologies, politics—his was basically just good. He talked about family, he talked about getting married, go get married, sounds old-fashioned when you think about it, but he's right."
What Happens Next
Patel told Fox & Friends that forensic work is still being carried out on the firearm. Cox said on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday that "official charges [will be] filed on Tuesday, and there will be much more evidence and information available then."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 9/15/2025 11.03 a.m. E.T. This article has been updated with further information.
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