FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that “far more” than 20 people are under investigation or have been questioned by federal agents over discussions about Charlie Kirk’s assassination in a Discord chatroom.
“I see the public reports that the Discord thread had as many as 20 additional users,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) pressed Patel during a Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill this week.
“It’s a lot more than that,” Patel revealed. “We’re running them all down.”
“There are a number of individuals that are currently being investigated and interrogated — and a number yet to be investigated and interrogated related to that chatroom,” Patel continued.
“So others could have been involved?” Hawley inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Patel replied.
The FBI director’s testimony corroborated parts of a Washington Post report from Monday, which said accused gunman Tyler Robinson admitted in a Discord chat of about 30 members that he fatally shot Charlie Kirk, 31.
“Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” Robinson, 22, reportedly wrote to channel members about two hours after the assassination, the WaPo reported. “It was me at [Utah Valley University] yesterday. i’m sorry for all of this.”
“Im 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,” he allegedly wrote.
Previously, representatives for the Discord app told authorities they found “no evidence that the suspect planned this incident or promoted violence” on their platform.
Robinson was formally charged Tuesday with seven counts, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray told reporters he intends to seek the death penalty. Utah is one of five states that still permits execution by firing squad.
Gov. Spencer Cox has told reporters that relatives informed investigators Robinson had been “radicalized” by “leftist ideology” and had spoken about Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 appearance at the Orem campus in the days beforehand.
Announcing the charges, Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had shifted politically over the past year and had become “more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.”
Gray also confirmed to the media that the alleged assassin texted his roomate and romantic partner — a man in the process of transitioning to female — after he shot Kirk that “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Beyond Robinson’s Discord chatroom, federal investigators are examining whether pro-trans online groups, members of the “furry” community, or users on the gaming platform Steam had advance knowledge of plans to assassinate Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, the country’s largest conservative youth organization.
One far-left group, Armed Queers SLC, deleted its Instagram account shortly after Kirk was killed, the New York Post reported.
Kirk, a husband and father of two, was answering a question about transgender mass shooters when a bullet struck him in the neck.
Before charges were filed Tuesday, Robinson had ceased cooperating with investigators. His father turned him in late on Sept. 11, about 30 hours after Kirk’s death.
FBI Director Kash Patel told lawmakers Tuesday that images released by the bureau helped lead to Robinson’s identification.
Robinson made his first court appearance in Utah on Tuesday afternoon.
Robinson appeared virtually and sat emotionless as the judge read the charges and covered other court matters.
The Utah County attorney revealed that Robinson has been charged with seven crimes, and the death penalty will be sought.
“Charlie Kirk’s murderer just made his first appearance in court wearing a suicide vest and with an expressionless, non-remorseful look on his face as he has his charges read to him. The face of evil,” conservative influencer Greg Price wrote on X.