The person accused of fatally taking pictures conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah college final week has been linked to proof discovered on the scene by way of DNA sequencing, FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned Monday.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, was arrested and faces fees of aggravated homicide, felony discharge of a firearm inflicting severe bodily damage, and obstruction of justice in reference to the taking pictures final Wednesday at Utah Valley College.
He’s being held in Utah County Jail and is anticipated to be charged on Tuesday. It’s not instantly clear if he has a lawyer.
Robinson’s actions had been premeditated and primarily based on his political, left-leaning beliefs, Patel mentioned Monday in an interview on “Fox & Associates.”
“His household has collectively informed investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology, and much more so in these final couple of years, and he had a textual content message trade — he, the suspect, with one other particular person — wherein he claimed that he had a possibility to take out Charlie Kirk, and he was going to do it due to his hatred for what Charlie stood for, ” the FBI director mentioned.
Patel mentioned that DNA matching Robinson was discovered on a towel allegedly wrapped round a firearm that was discarded in a wooded space close to the college. The DNA was additionally discovered on a screwdriver discovered on a rooftop, Patel mentioned.
Patel added on “Fox & Associates” that he and FBI brokers “walked your complete crime scene” after he arrived in Utah and located the proof.
“I can report in the present day that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped across the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,” Patel mentioned.
Patel additionally defended his document in dealing with the case, which has obtained sharp criticism over alleged “grandstanding” and the announcement that “the topic” was in custody shortly earlier than that individual was launched with out cost.
This can be a creating story — verify again right here for updates quickly.
