FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and said that more than 20 people are being questioned in the case.
During the hearing, Patel informed the panel that the accused, Tyler Robinson, may not have acted alone.
More than 20 people in Robinson’s Discord chat, an online platform, are being questioned, BBC quoted Patel as saying, after Robinson reportedly identified himself as the shooter in the chat.
“We are investigating Charlie’s assassination fully and completely and running out every lead related to any allegation of broader violence,” he said.
On a question from Senator Ted Cruz, Patel said that Robinson’s roommate was a “transgender man transitioning
to female”, and they were in a relationship.
The Guardian quoted the Director as informing the Senate that the Discord chat in which the Kirk shooting suspect allegedly confessed to the murder was “leaked”.
Asked by Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri whether the Kirk shooting is being treated as part of a broader trend of violence against religious groups, Patel responded: “We are investigating Charlie’s assassination fully and completely and running out every lead related to any allegation of broader violence.”
Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative media figure, was shot and killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on September 10. Kirk was well known for his hard-right views and for using social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to promote conservative causes, particularly criticism of the transgender rights movement.
The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt and is expected to be formally charged with murder.
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