FBI Director Kash Patel said on Monday that the man accused of killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on Wednesday was linked to the crime scene by DNA.
Patel told “Fox & Friends” that Tyler Robinson’s DNA was recovered from a towel concealing the Mauser .30 caliber bolt-action rifle he allegedly used to shoot Kirk at Utah Valley University.
The rifle was reportedly discovered in a wooded area, which officials believe Robinson, 22, fled to after shooting Kirk, 31, from the roof of the Losee Center, about 200 yards away.
“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.
The screwdriver Patel referred to was found on the Losee Center’s roof after Wednesday’s deadly shooting.
Patel said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives branch in Maryland is testing the rifle recovered from the woods.
At the time of Wednesday’s shooting, Kirk was at the university for the first stop of his “The American Comeback” tour, which entails him engaging in political debates with members of the audience. Authorities believe Robinson is believed to have jumped off the roof and fled to a nearby neighborhood.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox claimed the cartridges from the rifle had various messages, including, “hey fascist! catch!” with several arrows, “oh bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao,” and “if you read this you are gay lmao.”
The spent casing reportedly had the message, “notices bulges oWo what’s this.”
Robinson remains jailed without bail on preliminary charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice.
The Utah County attorney’s office said Robinson’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.
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[Feature Photo: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File]
