The FBI has revealed that Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, had a rabid “obsession” with the conservative icon.
During an interview on Fox News, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino noted that Robinson vowed to “take out” Kirk because he “hated” his views and boasted that he had the perfect murder plan.
“I think it’s pretty clear based on the statements of family members, friends, and some of the messaging we have on these digital footprints left behind that [Robinson] clearly had some obsession with Charlie Kirk,” Bongino said.
”Charlie Kirk is obviously a conservative commentator,” Bongino added. “I think it’s fairly obvious to everyone out there, and there’s no need to parse words with it, that clearly this was an ideologically motivated attack.”
FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox earlier in the day that Robinson had even told someone about his terrible plan before he shot Kirk, 31, in the neck at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
“He had a text message exchange with another 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 for what Charlie stood for,” Patel told “Fox & Friends.”
It wasn’t clear when Robinson sent the text message.
“The written note, we believe, did exist, and we have evidence to show what was in that note,” Patel said.
Robinson wrote in the note, “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it,” according to Patel.
“That note was written before the shooting,” the FBI director said, adding that it had been found in the home Robinson shared with his boyfriend.
“We have since learned that the note, even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note, and we have confirmed what that note says,” he said.
He added that data gathered by the FBI indicated that Robinson’s target “was obviously going to be Charlie [Kirk] and that people knew in advance.”
Patel stated that investigators have lately “learned some shocking things” from Robinson’s family and friends, including his transgender boyfriend. They also confirmed that the alleged killer had gotten more left-wing over time.
“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 said.
In a Discord chat, an acquaintance who tagged Tyler Robinson’s username attached the images and wrote “wya” — where you at? — with a skull emoji. The post suggested Robinson, 22, looked like the man being sought in the assassination.
Robinson replied within a minute. His “doppelganger,” he wrote, was trying to “get me in trouble.”
Another user quickly followed: “Tyler killed Charlie!!!!” The message appeared to be in jest. But it was not until later that night, nearly 34 hours after the shooting, that Robinson was arrested on suspicion of murdering Charlie Kirk, 31, the conservative commentator and activist.
The Discord messages offered the clearest glimpse yet of the suspect’s demeanor in the hours after the killing. They were shared with The New York Times by someone who knew Robinson in high school and remains connected through the chat group, which has about 20 members. The person, who asked not to be identified, said he feared harassment for being linked to the suspect. The Times verified the individual had attended high school with Robinson and confirmed other details.
But Robinson’s online activity did not stop with the joking response. Later that next day, in a separate Discord chat, the suspect allegedly admitted to being the shooter and apologized to his friends, The Washington Post reported.
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” Robinson wrote, according to screenshots reviewed by The Washington Post. “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.”
“I’m surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs, you’ve all been so amazing, thank you all for everything.”
The messages were sent Thursday evening, about two hours before law enforcement finally took Robinson into custody, ending a 33-hour manhunt.