FBI Director Kash Patel detailed some new evidence against accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, during an interview with Fox and Friends on Monday.
Patel said that DNA recovered from a towel wrapped around the bolt-action rifle used in the assassination was linked to 22-year-old Robinson. Patel also confirmed previous statements made by officials about a note allegedly written by Robinson.
"The written note we believe did exist, and we have evidence to show what was in that note," Patel told Fox. He said the note essentially said, "I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it."
Patel acknowledged that no note currently exists because it was subsequently destroyed. However, he said that the FBI has "forensic evidence" that the note did exist and was written before the shooting. He also stated that the FBI verified this in-part due to the agencies "aggressive interview posture."
Robinson had a roommate who Patel described as his "partner." Previous reports related to the shooting have said the roommate has been cooperating with investigators and had shared communications from Robinson with investigators.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Sept. 10 at a campus event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was addressing a crowd of several thousand when he was struck by a single gunshot fired from about 200 yards away. Video has showed the assassin fleeing from a nearby rooftop in the aftermath of the shooting.
Police later found a rifle, wrapped in a towel, in a wooded area near where the assassination took place. Robinson was arrested after images of the shooter were released and family members confronted him.
Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that focused on reaching out to young people on college campuses. Kirk started the organization when he was 18 and was considered a political ally to President Donald Trump.
