Federal investigators are probing whether the man arrested in the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk acted alone or as part of a broader plot, while investigators say signs point to an ideology-driven motive, a Fox News interview aired Monday said.
Dan Bongino, who spoke on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, said investigators were looking into whether anyone aided the suspect — financially, logistically or by failing to report knowledge of an attack — and that authorities had obtained video and forensic evidence key to the case. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Bongino said the video showed the gunman leaping from a rooftop after the fatal shot and indicated where the weapon may have been carried. "When you’re watching the video, it appears that the gun is either in the backpack or on him," he said. "This is where we got a significant portion of the forensic evidence, which was the key piece of information that cracked this thing open."
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the killing; booking photographs of the suspect have been released by state authorities. Bongino, who described Kirk as a personal friend, said law enforcement secured the suspect within roughly 33 hours of the attack and was continuing to pursue all investigative leads.
Family members and coworkers told investigators the suspect had become more political and withdrawn in the period before the shooting, Bongino said, and that the suspect had voiced violent intentions in advance. "You see this a lot in targeted violence cases, assassinations, school shootings, where the individual expresses in advance his desire to do these specific things. That appears to be the case here as well," he said. "It appears from the data we’ve accumulated that this ideology had infected him and had taken over. He was intent on making Charlie his target and people may have known in advance."
The FBI and local authorities are examining video, digital data and forensic evidence to determine whether the attack was the act of a lone individual radicalized online or through personal contacts, or whether others provided assistance. Bongino said the agency would look for any evidence of aiding and abetting, including financial support or anyone who was aware of specifics and failed to report them.
Investigators have also pointed to markings found on ammunition used in the shooting, which law enforcement officials have said could shed light on motive and sourcing of the materials. Details about those engravings and the chain of custody for the ammunition have not been disclosed publicly.
Kirk, 31, led a crowd at the Utah Valley University event when he was shot beneath a banner inviting attendees to "challenge his ideas." He was declared dead after being transported to a hospital. Turning Point USA, the conservative organization he founded, has been a frequent target of political debate and protests in recent years.
Local and federal authorities have declined to provide a full account of the investigative findings while the probe continues and have not publicly outlined a charging strategy beyond announcing the suspect’s arrest. Prosecutors in the area will determine formal charges as investigators turn over evidence.
Bongino emphasized the speed of the response and said the quick arrest should reassure the public, while suggesting law enforcement would review its response to identify areas for improvement. "We got our guy in 33 hours. Next time, when there’s a crisis, we’ll look at what we can do well and what we can do better," he said.
The case has drawn intense national attention because of Kirk’s profile in conservative politics and the apparent ideological component investigators are examining. Officials have reiterated that the investigation remains active and that they are pursuing all leads to establish motive, identify any network of support and secure the full chain of evidence.
As investigators continue their work, federal and local authorities have asked anyone with relevant information, images or video of the event and surrounding hours to come forward. Prosecutors and law enforcement have not yet announced a timetable for charging decisions or a public release of all forensic findings.
This story is developing.