Featured Image Credit: BBC News
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Crime, News, US News, Police
Niamh Shackleton
The FBI has updated the public on its investigation into the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, has been named as the suspect that has been taken into custody.
Investigators found a bolt action rifle wrapped in a dark colored towel, as well as bullet casings that had messages written on them, including, 'hey fascist' and 'catch'.
One unfired casing read 'oh Bella caio, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao', and another said: 'if you read this you are gay lmao'.
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The press conference also revealed that investigators had met with Robinson's roommate, who allegedly showed them a Discord channel linked to Robinson.
Among the messages included, one discussed retrieving a rifle from a drop point.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox went on thank the suspect's family for doing 'the right thing' and helping the investigation.
The suspect’s father saw surveillance photos and worked with a pastor to encourage the surrender in Kirk’s killing, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.
Cox added: "I especially want to thank the family of Charlie Kirk. I want us to be thinking of them as we bring justice to this case."
While Robinson is now in custody the FBI will continue to follow up leads that the agency has received.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the crime scene as 'large' but assured that it has been 'processed quickly'.
While the investigation is ongoing, Cox confirmed during the press conference's Q&A that no more arrests are expected to be made.
During the Q&A, Cox was also asked about the messages on the bullets and what they mean.
"Well, I will leave that up to you to interpret what those engravings mean," he replied to the journalist's question, adding: "I think the clearest one that says 'catch fascists'. That's like catch a ball — 'catch this'. I think that speaks for itself."
Elsewhere, Cox made a poignant statement about Kirk's death being 'an attack on all of us'.
"I think it's important that we, with eyes wide open, understand what's happening in our country today," he said.
"It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals. This cuts to the very foundation of who we are, who we have been, and who we could be."
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.