FBI Director Kash Patel revealed new details about the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk, saying in an appearance on Fox News that the suspect's DNA was found on items near the murder scene and that the alleged shooter wrote messages about a plan to "take out" the conservative activist.

Federal agents matched 22-year-old Tyler Robinson's DNA to a screwdriver found on a roof at Utah Valley University and a towel that was wrapped around the rifle police believe was used in the attack on Sept. 10, Patel said on "Fox & Friends."

Patel also confirmed the FBI has interviewed Robinson’s live-in partner, who Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said was in the process of transitioning from male to female. Cox, a Republican, has urged people not to jump to conclusions over Robinson's possible motive and said more information will be released in charging documents on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The FBI director, who has faced scrutinty over his handling of the investigation, said law enforcement has also discovered a text message chain in which Robinson allegedly stated an intent to "take out" Kirk.

The bureau learned of a similar hand-written note the suspect allegedly wrote before the shooting and left in his apartment. Patel said the note had been destroyed but that investigators obtained forensic evidence and were able to confirm what it said through the FBI's “aggressive interview posture."

The new details come as Patel is set to appear before Congress, where he will likely face questions about the highly scrutinized probe. Meanwhile, lawmakers, Trump administration officials and others remembered Kirk in memorials and vigils over the weekend, including at a high-profile event at the Kennedy Center. The tributes will continue on Sept. 15 as Vice President JD Vance planned to host Kirk's podcast.

Kirk’s high school initiative sees surge in applications after assassination

The movement of young conservatives that Kirk led, Turning Point USA, has roughly 900 chapters on college campuses and its high school initiative, Club America, has about 1,200, said Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show.”

There are roughly 24,000 high schools in America, and Kirk wanted a chapter in every one, Kolvet told Vance. After Kirk’s death, there have been 37,000 applications to start chapters, Kolvet added.

“It almost brings a tear to your eye,” he said.

– Zac Anderson

Vance says White House will target ‘left-wing extremism’ after Kirk killing

In response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Vice President JD Vance and top White House aide Stephen Miller vowed to target left-wing organizations and networks they accused of stoking political violence.

“We have to talk about this incredibly destructive movement of left-wing extremism that has grown up over the last few years, and I believe, is part of the reason why Charlie was killed by an assassin's bullet,” Vance said as he hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show" on Sept. 15.

Vance said the Trump administration plans to “go after” non-government organizations, or NGOs, that support violence – not free speech. Miller said the Trump administration is going to target left-wing groups he said have organized doxxing campaigns and riots.

Miller vowed to use “every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government” to disrupt such groups.

VP Vance remembers a ‘joyful warrior’ as he hosts ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’

Vice President JD Vance remembered the late Charlie Kirk as a “joyful warrior for our country” as the vice president hosted “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Monday just days after the conservative activist was killed by an assassin.

“He loved America. He devoted himself tirelessly to making our country a better place,” Vance said as he spoke from the vice president’s office at the White House.

“He was a critical part of getting Donald Trump elected as president, getting me elected as vice president, and so much of our success over the last seven months is due to his efforts, his staffing, his support and his friendship.”

Vance called Kirk, who died at 31 years old, a “visionary” and a “luminary” who created a “whole social network for an entire generation of young people.”

Alleged gunman had 'obsession with Charlie Kirk,' FBI official says

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Robinson had expressed his intention to commit an act of violence against Kirk before the shooting and said the incident was "clearly an ideologically motivated attack."

"I think it's pretty clear based on the statements of family members, friends and some of the messaging we have on the digital footprints that he clearly had some obsession with Charlie Kirk," Bongino said Sept. 15 on Fox News.

"Charlie Kirk is obviously a conservative commentator. That's no secret, so while I don't want to speak in advance and jeopardize the case, I think it's fairly obvious to everyone out there, and there's no need to parse words with it, that this was clearly an ideologically motivated attack," Bongino added.

FBI officials and the governor of Utah have said Robinson held a "leftist ideology" and had become increasingly political in recent years. Authorities have not provided additional details about Robinson's ideology, but said their claims are based on interviews with those close to Robinson and his online messages.

FBI director to appear before Congress as scrutiny over Kirk probe mounts

FBI Director Kash Patel will appear before members of Congress this week and is expected to field questions about the highly scrutinized investigation into Kirk's killing.

Much of the criticism against the FBI centers around conflicting statements released to the public in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Hours after the killing, Patel took to X to proclaim that a "subject" was in custody. The alleged shooter, however, remained at large and wasn't brought into custody until his father turned him in the next day.

Patel in a Fox News appearance on Monday, defended the FBI and himself. He directly addressed his initial post on X, which many took to mean Kirk's alleged killer was in custody.

"Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not," Patel said on "Fox & Friends." "I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it, and I am continuing to do that. And I challenge anyone out there to find a director that has been more transparent … than we have been."

President Donald Trump over the weekend expressed his support of Patel, saying in an appearance on Fox News that "I'm very proud of the FBI. Kash and everyone else ... have done a great job."

JD Vance to host 'The Charlie Kirk Show' in 'tribute' to close ally

Vice President JD Vance said he will host "The Charlie Kirk Show" on Monday, Sept. 15, as a tribute to his friend and close political ally.

"Tomorrow, I will have the honor of hosting the Charlie Kirk Show. Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend," Vance said on X.

Kirk championed Vance to be Trump's running mate ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Last week, after the assassination, Vance and his wife, Usha, met with Kirk's family in Salt Lake City, Utah, and flew with them on Air Force Two as Kirk's casket was brought home to Arizona.

Utah governor says Robinson was ‘radicalized’

Cox, while speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said Robinson had a “leftist ideology” and was at some point “radicalized."

The governor said while Robinson has not been cooperative, investigators have spoken with his family and his live-in partner, who Cox described as transitioning from male to female. Cox said the roommate had "no idea that this was happening" and has so far been helpful to the investigation. When asked about whether Robinson’s partner was linked to a potential motive, Cox expressed caution.

“We’re trying to figure it out. I know everybody wants to know exactly why and point the finger. And I totally get that. I do too,” he said on CNN's "State of the Union." “I just want to be careful, as I haven’t read all of the interview transcripts.”

Cox did not detail Robinson's political views in detail, but he offered more information about the time between when Robinson dropped out of college and when he was arrested in connection with the gruesome killing.

The governor said Robinson spent much of his time online, playing video games and interacting with people on message boards. He said the suspect was actively engaged in the "deep, dark internet."

Contributing: Davis Winkie; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance hosts Charlie Kirk podcast. FBI unveils new information: Live updates

Reporting by Christopher Cann, Nick Penzenstadler and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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