FBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday sought to tamp down speculation surrounding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, pledging that federal investigators would pursue “every lead” in the case and continue their work until “every question is answered.”
In a statement posted to X, Patel said the bureau is examining “every facet” of the Sept. 10 shooting, including whether suspected gunman Tyler Robinson, 22, acted alone or in coordination with others. Investigators are analyzing potential accomplices, the angle and location of the gunshot, Robinson’s text message confession, Discord activity, weapon transport, and whether hand signals observed near Kirk at the time could have been used for coordination. Patel emphasized that while some details are known, others remain under investigation.
“To protect the integrity of the investigation and subsequent prosecution, we cannot release every piece of information we have to the public right now,” Patel wrote.
Patel also addressed a claim circulating online that a plane near the site of the shooting had turned off its transponder. He said the FBI and Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the matter and determined the transponder had not been disabled, but that incomplete data in rural areas created the appearance of a gap in the flight record.
“The entire FBI mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk,” Patel added. “We will not rest until justice is served.”
Patel’s comments came just an hour before Kirk’s memorial service began in Arizona and as conspiracy theories about the killing gained traction across the political spectrum.
On Saturday, CNN reporter Marshall Cohen outlined some of the competing claims. According to Cohen, some left-wing figures suggested without evidence that former President Donald Trump orchestrated the murder to divert attention from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Others attempted to link Robinson to far-right groups that had clashed with Kirk, despite indications that the suspect had expressed opposition to Kirk’s conservative politics.
On the right, figures including Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer have portrayed Robinson as part of a broader terrorist network, while other influencers have advanced anti-Semitic theories blaming Israel. Candace Owens has alleged, without evidence, that federal authorities are engaged in a cover-up.
Federal investigators have not indicated that anyone besides Robinson is responsible for the killing.
