The man suspected of shooting Charlie Kirk dead at a college in the US sent a string of ominous text messages before his arrest, officials said.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody late last Thursday (11 September) after a 33-hour manhunt came to an end when one of his relatives tipped off police.
It is thought that formal charges will be made against the electrical apprentice from Washington, Utah, as soon as today (16 September).
Authorities believe he is the person who fired the fatal shot that struck controversial political activist Kirk, 31, in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University last week.
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According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Robinson 'essentially admitted' that he was responsible for the shooting, which has shaken the political landscape, in a series of text messages.
On Monday (15 September), the former federal prosecutor shared further details about what authorities have uncovered so far during the investigation into Kirk's death.
Patel said DNA, which supposedly matches Robinson, was found on a towel which covered the weapon when it was discarded, while a screwdriver was also discovered in the sniper's nest on a roof.
He told Fox News that cops had found a 'text message exchange' where the alleged gunman 'specifically stated that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do that'.
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Patel said that interviews conducted by both the FBI and local law enforcement uncovered that Robinson had ' essentially admitted, after the shooting, to the assassination of Charlie Kirk'.
"The suspect admitted to it," the FBI chief said. "I won't stylise the evidence, but I will say what was found was information, a text message exchange, where the suspect specifically stated that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and he was going to do that.
"And when [Robinson] was asked why, he said, ‘Some hatred cannot be negotiated with'."
Cops are now combing through Robinson's online communications, with Patel saying that the FBI are running a 'reverse daisy chain analysis of anyone that was in contact with the suspect'.
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"We seized multiple electronic devices from the home of the suspect and his romantic partner," he said. "We’ve got computers, we’ve got laptops, gaming systems, we’ve got cellphones.
"All of that is being triaged by the FBI, because that’s what we do. And the resources that the attorney general has dedicated to this mission is allowing us to move at the speed we have."
The contents of the final messages which Robinson allegedly sent before he was arrested have now also emerged.
It is claimed that he sent correspondence to his pals on the messaging platform Discord, confessing that he was the person being plastered on wanted posters.
"Hey guys, I have bad news for you all," one read, according to The Washington Post. "It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this."
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It was also suggested that the 22-year-old sent a final message to his online pals before his arrest, CBS News reports.
It is said to have read: "I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments, thanks for all the good times and laughs, you've all been so amazing, thank you all for everything."
Robinson was taken into custody on aggravated murder, obstruction and firearm charges. Figures, including President Donald Trump, have called for him to get the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, Politics, US News, Tyler Robinson
Olivia Burke