FBI Director reveals suspected shooter Tyler Robinson wrote message before fatal Utah university attack as formal charges loom
The man accused of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk left a note declaring his intention to kill the political activist, FBI Director Kash Patel has revealed.
“I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” read the note discovered at Tyler Robinson’s home, Patel disclosed during a Fox News appearance on Monday morning.
The 22-year-old suspect, who was taken into custody on Thursday night following a two-day manhunt, is expected to be formally charged with murder on Tuesday. Robinson has refused to cooperate with investigators since his arrest, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Note Recovered Despite Destruction
Speaking on Fox News, Patel explained that whilst the note had been destroyed, FBI forensic teams were able to recover its contents through advanced techniques.
“The note was written before the shooting, it was in the suspect’s home,” Patel said. “We have since learned the note – even though it was destroyed – we have found forensic evidence of the note and we have confirmed what the note said because of our aggressive interview posture at the FBI.”
The FBI director did not specify whether the note was handwritten or digital, nor did he elaborate on the specific forensic methods used to recover the destroyed evidence.
Robinson was arrested late Thursday after being persuaded to surrender by his father, Matt Robinson, who had recognised his son from surveillance photographs distributed by authorities during the massive manhunt.
Evidence Mounts Against Suspect
Beyond the recovered note, investigators have built a substantial case against Robinson. Governor Cox confirmed on Sunday that DNA matching Robinson was found at the sniper’s position where Kirk’s shooter had hidden on the roof of a Utah Valley University building.
Additional DNA evidence was reportedly recovered from a towel that had been used to cover the murder weapon when it was abandoned in nearby woods following the assassination.
The shooting occurred on Wednesday at an outdoor event attended by approximately 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Kirk, 31, was struck by a single rifle shot to the neck whilst addressing the crowd during his “American Comeback Tour” and died at the scene.
Roommate Cooperating with Investigation
Whilst Robinson himself refuses to speak with investigators, those around him have been cooperating with authorities. Governor Cox revealed that Robinson’s roommate, who was also a romantic partner, has been “incredibly cooperative” with the FBI investigation.
The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,” Cox told ABC News. “Had no idea that this was happening.”
When asked whether the roommate’s gender identity was relevant to the investigation, Cox said: “That’s what we’re trying to figure out right now. It’s easy to draw conclusions from that, and so we’ve got the shell casings, other forensic evidence that is coming in – and trying to piece all of those things together.”
Discord Messages and Online Activity
In the hours following the shooting, Robinson was actively messaging acquaintances on the Discord platform who had noticed his resemblance to surveillance images of the shooter.
Those conversations definitely were happening,” Governor Cox confirmed to ABC News. “And they did not believe it was actually him – it was all joking until he admitted that it actually was him.”
According to messages obtained by The New York Times, Robinson initially joked about the situation, writing “My doppelganger’s trying to get me in trouble” when tagged in surveillance photos. Another user wrote “Tyler killed Charlie!!!!” to which Robinson continued to respond as if it were a joke.
Suspect’s Background and Radicalisation
Family and friends described Robinson’s politics as having veered left in recent years as he spent increasing amounts of time in what Cox called the “dark corners of the internet.
A high school honour roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardised tests, Robinson had been admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship. However, he attended for only one semester before leaving. He was currently enrolled as a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College in St George.
State records show Robinson was registered to vote but not affiliated with any political party and listed as inactive, meaning he had not voted in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.
A relative told investigators that Robinson had become more political in recent years and had once discussed with another family member their mutual dislike for Kirk and his viewpoints, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
Cryptic Bullet Messages
Investigators discovered bizarre messages engraved on four bullet casings found at the scene, including references to internet memes and video game culture.
One inscription read “hey fascist! CATCH!” followed by directional arrows apparently referencing a video game bomb sequence. Another casing bore the message “If you read This, you are GAY Lmao,” whilst a third contained the internet meme “notices bulge, OwO whats this.”
The cryptic nature of these engravings has led investigators to explore Robinson’s online activities and potential radicalisation through extremist communities.
Widow Delivers Defiant Message
On Friday night, Kirk’s widow Erika delivered her first public remarks since the assassination, speaking from the office where her late husband had hosted his podcast.
“But most of all, Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart,” she said, describing her husband’s love for America, nature and the Chicago Cubs.
She had a pointed message for those responsible, though she did not specifically name Robinson: “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
Political Fallout Continues
The assassination has sparked fierce debate about political violence in America, with President Donald Trump blaming “the radical left” for Kirk’s death.
“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” Trump said in a video message. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who himself faced an arson attack in April, called on Trump to lower the political temperature, stating: “Violence transcends party lines – and the way to address it and have true peaceful debate is for leaders to speak and act with moral clarity. That needs to start with the President.”
Robinson faces capital murder charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Tuesday following formal charges being filed by Utah County prosecutors.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
