By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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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.
An FBI spokesperson told Newsweek: "The FBI is working with our law enforcement partners in Utah to bring to justice the individual allegedly responsible for the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk—and we will continue to be transparent with the American people with real time updates as we are able."
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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.
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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.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump in a video statement posted to Truth Social after Charlie Kirk's death: "For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world's worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today, and it must stop."
Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist wrote on X: "I'm grateful that Utah authorities have captured the suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination, and think it is time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI. He performed terribly in the last few days, and it's not clear whether he has the operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt the violent movements—of whatever ideology—that threaten the peace in the United States."
What Happens Next
Robinson is in custody, accused of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm.
He is expected to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Utah County Attorney's Office.
Update 9/17/25, 6 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the FBI.
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