Suspect in Kirk shooting charged

Congress questions FBI head about investigation

By: Thao Nguyen
Jeanine Santucci
Christopher Cann
N-dea Yancey-Bragg
USA Today

..... FBI Director Kash Patel began testifying before Congress on September 16 [2025] regarding the bureau's investigation into conservative activists Charlie Kirk's death.
..... Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of shooting Kirk during a public appearance on September 10 [2025] at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Robinson was arrested September 11 [2025] on probable cause of felony charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice in Utah County court. he is being held without bail in a Utah jail.
..... Utah Governor Spencer Cox told ABC News' "This Week" on September 14 [2025] that Robinson has not been cooperating with authorities, but that "the pole around him are."
..... At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing September 16, [2025] Patel defended the work of his agency in tracking down Kirk's suspected shooter.
..... He credited his team for releasing photos and video of the suspect quickly, and quoted Robinson;s father: "When I saw that video hat you released, I recognized that it was my son, and I confronted him."
..... Law enforcement has said that the father told a family friend, who then turned in Robinson.
..... conservative activists say Patel took too long to release a photo of the suspect. among other criticisms are that Patel kept his dinner reservation at an exclusive New York restaurant on the night of Kirk's killing: that he tweeted unverified information about a subject's arrest: that he failed to ensure there was better security at the crime scene in Utah; and that he made improper public statements about the case.

Officials cite physical evidence in case against suspect

..... Officials said they're tied Robinson to the Kirk shooting through physical evidence, surveillance footage and a cache of Online messages and communications.
..... During the Senate hearing, Patel told Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, that his agency is looking into "anyone and everyone" in the chat on discord, a messaging platform where the suspect allegedly discussed his plan to kill Kirk.
..... Hawley cited reports saying that there were 20 other people in that chat, and Patel said there were "a lot more" than that.
..... The Discord account that investigators believe belonged to Robinson sent messages confessing to the shooting, sources told news outlets including The Washington Post and CBS News.
..... Hey guys, I have bad news for you all," a message from the account said, according to the news reports. "It was me at UVU yesterday,. [09/10/2025] im sorry for all of this."
..... The Washington Post obtained screenshots of messages from the account, whose authenticity was reportedly confirmed by two sources familiar with the chats. CBS News confirmed the chats with a spokesperson for Discord and a law enforcement source.
..... The platform the outlets that there was no evidence Robinson planned his attack on Discord.
..... 'im surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments," the account also said according to the Post.
..... The message was sent a couple of hours before Robinson was taken into custody, the Post reported.

Bondi to go after 'hate speech' as distinct from free speech

..... Attorney Gen real Pam Bondi on September 16 [2025] defended her vow to "come after those who engage in hate speech" in the wake of Kirk's assassination.
..... Bondi said on X that "hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is NOT protected by the First Amendment" and accused the "radical left" of normalizing such language.
..... Bondi's latest comments come after she appeared on a podcast September 15 [2025] and said "there's free speech and then there's hate speech," sparking immediate backlash over First amendment concerns.
..... On September 15, [2025] the president and several of his top advisers promised to "go after" liberal groups they contend are prompting political violence. Trump said he spoke with Bondi about brining possible racketeering charges against people "putting up millions and millions of dollars for agitation."
..... Federal officials have not detailed their plans or named what groups or individuals would be investigated.
..... Kirk last year [2024] said on social media that "hate speech does not exist legally in America," adding that there's "evil speech" and "gross speech" but that all of ti is protected by the constitution.

Man initially held after shooting is facing obstructionist charges

..... The man initially apprehended at the Kirk shooting is being held in a Utah jail on pending obstruction and sexual exploitation charges.
..... Police say George Zinn, 71, yelled, "I shot him now shoot me: and was taken into custody. Zinn told police he wanted an attorney.
..... Zinn then said he provided a false confession "to draw attention form the real shooter." He is being held on pending charges of obstructing the investigation.
..... After being hospitalized for a medical condition, Zinn was released September 15 [2025] and arrested.
..... While FBI agents interviewed Zinn at the hospital, they asked if he had anything illegal on his phone and he admitted to looking at child sex abuse material, according to court documents.
..... Zinn is also being held with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

..... Contributing" Thao Nguyen, Jeanine Santucci, Christopher Cann, Erin Mansfield, Will Carles, Aysha Bagchi, Nick Penzenstadler, Josh Meyer, Davis Winkie, Rick Jervis and Christ Kenning, USA Today

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