Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, had revealed his deadly plans in text messages before carrying out the attack at Utah Valley University. FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed disturbing new evidence showing Robinson had communicated his intentions to kill Kirk through messages and a handwritten note.
The shocking revelation comes as authorities piece together the events leading to Kirk’s death on September 10, 2025. Robinson was arrested on September 12 after a 33-hour manhunt when his father recognized him from FBI photos and contacted authorities through a youth pastor who worked with the U.S. Marshals.
According to FBI Director Patel, obtained by TMZ, Robinson had exchanged text messages with another person, stating he had the opportunity to “take out Charlie Kirk” and was “going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.”
DNA evidence links suspect to crime scene
The investigation has uncovered multiple pieces of physical evidence connecting Robinson to the crime. Patel revealed that DNA evidence was found on a towel wrapped around the rifle that Robinson abandoned in a wooded area near the campus. Additional DNA was discovered on a screwdriver found on the roof of the campus building where the fatal shot was fired.
Robinson also left behind a handwritten note at his residence that he shared with his transgender partner. The note stated his intention to kill Kirk, with Patel summarizing it as “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” The note was written before the shooting and was confirmed through what Patel described as the FBI’s “aggressive interview posture.”
"His family has collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 15, 2025
"He claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it, because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for."
FBI Director Kash Patel reveals on… pic.twitter.com/nh3f1JiBJx
Investigators have determined that Robinson fired a single shot from approximately 142 yards away, striking Kirk in the neck while the activist was addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people at the university’s outdoor event. Kirk was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital despite emergency surgery attempts. The case has revealed disturbing details about the bullet casings recovered at the scene, which were engraved with taunting messages that may reveal the shooter’s motive.
The case highlights growing concerns about political violence in America, which has seen a disturbing increase in recent years. Kirk’s assassination follows other politically motivated attacks, including the killing of Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband earlier this year, and an arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence.
Robinson’s family background adds complexity to the case, as his parents are both registered Republicans and his grandmother described the family as “all MAGA.” However, Utah Governor Spencer Cox suggested that Robinson had been “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology” and had become more political in recent years after dropping out of Utah State University. During the manhunt, Cox controversially admitted he had been praying that the killer would turn out to be an immigrant rather than a local resident.
The investigation revealed that Robinson was not enrolled at Utah Valley University and had driven approximately 3.5 hours from his home in St. George, Utah, to carry out the attack. Surveillance footage shows him arriving on campus in a gray Dodge Challenger and changing into dark clothing before positioning himself on the rooftop.
Robinson is being held without bail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on September 16, 2025. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous consequences when political rhetoric turns to violence and the critical importance of reporting threatening communications to authorities.
