FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Monday that a definitive connection has been established between the scene of Charlie Kirk’s murder and the young man who confessed to the crime. The weapon used, a Mauser .30-06 bolt action hunting rifle, was discovered wrapped in a towel and contained DNA evidence that matched 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a college student who surrendered late Thursday night after informing his father.
Additional DNA evidence was found on the roof of the Losee Center building at Utah Valley University, where investigators believe the fatal shot that struck Kirk was fired.
“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 stated in an interview with Fox News.
Authorities indicate that after shooting Kirk, who was addressing a crowd of students, Robinson jumped off the roof and fled to a nearby subdivision. He is thought to have taken refuge in an abandoned house before potentially using a vehicle to return to his family home, located approximately 260 miles from the campus.
On the rooftop, investigators found a shoe impression that matched the soles of the Converse/Chuck Taylor shoes Robinson was wearing at the time of his arrest, according to booking records.
Additionally, Patel revealed that forensic experts discovered evidence of a now-destroyed note in which Robinson allegedly stated he had one opportunity to “take out” Kirk before the conservative activist departed Utah. The FBI director did not specify whether the note was digital or physical but mentioned it was sent to Robinson’s transgender roommate and partner.
The roommate, who is transitioning from male to female, has not been charged in connection with Kirk’s murder and is reportedly cooperating with the investigation.
Last Friday, the roommate provided authorities with messages from a Discord chat where Robinson purportedly shared concerning posts about retrieving a rifle from a drop point, leaving the weapon in a bush, and observing the area where it was hidden. He also referenced having left the rifle wrapped in a towel.
The Discord user known as “Tyler” discussed topics such as “engraving bullets” and made mentions of a scope, claiming the rifle was unique, as noted by Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Friday.
