Fury over the FBI’s handling of the manhunt for the suspect in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk intensified after the agency mistakenly announced a suspect was in custody and later walked back the claim, according to multiple reports.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Thursday night after a 33-hour search and reportedly turned himself in following a tip from a family member, law enforcement sources said. The arrest came after two other men were briefly detained and released in the chaotic hours after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University.
FBI Director Kash Patel drew fresh criticism for publicly saying on X that the "subject" was in custody at about 6:21 p.m. Wednesday, then correcting that statement at 7:59 p.m., saying the individual had been released after interrogation, according to NBC News and other reports. The initial announcement came after two wrong identifications and detentions that were later reversed.
The New York Times reported that Patel convened a conference call with more than 200 FBI personnel on Thursday morning during which he used profane language and berated agents for the missteps. The Times said Patel faulted field agents for failing to provide timely updates and complained that the Salt Lake City field office did not show him a photo of a suspected killer for 12 hours. The paper also reported that Patel had earlier applauded investigators at a press appearance for detaining a person who was not the shooter.
The director faced further public scrutiny after reports that he was dining at Rao’s, a high-end Italian restaurant in New York City, hours after the shooting while investigators were conducting the search. Two sources told NBC News that Patel was at Rao’s that evening. The White House communications director defended Patel, saying criticism in the wake of a friend’s death amounted to "political gamesmanship," according to a Fox News report.
Critics from across conservative and liberal circles expressed alarm. Fox News host Laura Ingraham called the sequence of errors "unreal," and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said Patel’s press performance was lacking. Conservative activist Chris Rufo wrote on X that the administration should reassess whether Patel is fit for the role. Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told HuffPost the situation amounted to "amateur hour," saying the FBI traditionally exercises restraint in public statements.
President Donald Trump posted a link on Truth Social to a news item praising Patel’s decision to release security footage and other actions in the probe. The White House also publicly defended Patel’s resolve and dedication, according to statements reported by Fox News.
The confusion followed chaotic on-scene developments, including the arrest and release of a 71-year-old man identified in some reports as George Zinn, who was handcuffed and taken from the scene before authorities said the shooter remained at large. Robinson, a former Utah State University student from Washington, Utah, was arrested after his father reportedly recognized him in surveillance images and encouraged him to surrender.
The handling of the case has occurred against a backdrop of internal tensions at the FBI. Three former agents have filed a lawsuit that names Patel and his deputy and accuses the Justice Department and White House officials of pressuring staff to carry out politically driven personnel actions and other controversial directives, The Independent reported. The lawsuit alleges that Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, pushed for a greater social media presence from agents and for personnel decisions that critics say were politically motivated.
Patel has previously taken personnel actions, including the dismissal of the head of the Salt Lake City field office weeks before the shooting, according to reporting. Patel and the FBI declined immediate comment beyond routine statements that the agency would continue to provide updates as they are able, a line attributed to the FBI in a Daily Mail report.
As investigators continue to process the case and Robinson awaits formal charges, lawmakers, activists and media figures called for clearer communications and accountability. The incident has raised questions about the agency’s public messaging during high-profile investigations and about leadership judgment at the FBI at a moment of intense political scrutiny.