DNA on a towel wrapped around the suspected gun used to kill Charlie Kirk has been matched to the suspect in custody, the director of the FBI said on Monday.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested over the death of the right-wing influencer at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. A bolt-action rifle was recovered near the shooting, and a screwdriver was found on the roof from where the fatal shot was fired.
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, Kash Patel told Fox and Friends.
A formal charge is expected this week. A motive has yet to be determined.
The FBI director, who is expected to face questions at a hearing in Congress on Tuesday, also mentioned a note that was discovered at the suspect's home, which vowed to take out Kirk.
It's basically saying... 'I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk', and I'm going to take it; that note was written before the shooting, said Patel.
He added, even though it has been destroyed, we have found forensic evidence of the note.
Investigators are also looking at social media accounts used by Mr. Robinson and any signs that anyone may have known about or encouraged the shooting beforehand.
According to a Utah County Sheriff inmate booking sheet obtained by the BBC, Mr. Robinson is accused of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm.
The breakthrough comes after Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sunday that Mr. Robinson - who had been persuaded to surrender by his father - had been refusing to cooperate with investigators and had not confessed to carrying out the shooting.
Cox added that Mr. Robinson's roommate and partner had been helping with the investigation.
Vice-President JD Vance on Monday hosted a tribute episode of Kirk's daily podcast from the White House, speaking with conservative personalities and Trump administration aides to remember the 31-year-old - a long-time ally of the president.
Kirk grew to national prominence as co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth group. The father-of-two had been hosting the American Comeback Tour, visiting several college campuses across the US to debate college students when he was shot.
