Kash Patel Claims FBI Credit Over Charlie Kirk Suspect Arrest [View all]
Source: Newsweek
Published Sep 14, 2025 at 4:49 AM EDT | Updated Sep 14, 2025 at 4:51 AM EDT
FBI Director Kash Patel has claimed FBI credit over the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder case, amid criticism of his handling of the incident. Writing on X, Patel said the FBI had been instrumental in releasing videos and images of Robinson to the public, which had helped in identifying him. Newsweek has contacted the FBI via email for comment.
The Context
President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that authorities had found Kirk's suspected killer, nearly two days after the fatal shooting of the 31-year-old conservative influencer at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during a question-and-answer session. The suspect was later named as 22-year-old Robinson and was reported to have confessed to the crime to his father. The FBI had called on the public to provide information about the person, offering up to $100,000 to people who did so. It also released images of the man later identified as Robinson.
What To Know
Patel wrote: "Against all law enforcement recommendations, we demanded the video footage and enhanced stills of the suspect be released to the public. "Robinson's father, who ultimately turned him in to authorities, told law enforcement that he recognized his son in that released video."
However, the agency has been criticized over the time it took to find a suspect and because hours after the shooting, Patel took to social media to announce that a suspect was in custody. That claim turned out to be false. Local authorities clarified that individual had been questioned and released.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirk-suspect-arrest-fbi-kash-patel-2129522
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