The FBI is expanding its investigation into the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, probing whether suspect Tyler Robinson may have been supported by a broader circle of allies.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Monday that investigators are examining whether Robinson, 22, was “aided and abetted” by an “extended network” ahead of Kirk’s assassination. Bongino noted that Robinson had displayed “multiple warning signs” in the days before the fatal shooting.
Tyler Robinson allegedly admitted to the killing in an online message sent the day after the attack. “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” reads a chat message purportedly sent via Discord to nearly three dozen people, according to the Washington Post. “It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this. I’m surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs, you’ve all been so amazing, thank you all for everything.”
The Post reported Sunday that authorities were already looking into whether Robinson’s ties to pro-trans online groups, sexualized animal-focused “furry” communities, and other digital networks could have provided advance knowledge of his alleged plans. Among the groups under scrutiny are communities on the gaming platform Steam and Armed Queers SLC, which removed its Instagram page following Kirk’s death.
Now, investigators are widening their scope. Bongino suggested Monday that the probe will consider whether individuals in the crowd — including a TikTok user who asked Kirk a question just before the shooting — may have had prior knowledge.
Speaking with Fox News’ America’s Newsroom host Bill Hemmer, Bongino said agents are “looking into” whether the assassination of the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was “part of a larger effort.” He added that the FBI is considering whether others may have provided financial support or “someone who knew the specifics of it and failed to report that.”
“We’ll also be dropping a lot of paper, a lot of subpoenas out there, to take a look to see if there was any extended network,” Bongino said. Public comments by officials, as well as digital evidence, suggest Robinson was heavily engaged in left-wing politics, internet meme culture, and had a fixation on “furries.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday that Robinson had been “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” despite not being formally registered with any political party. Bongino also told Hemmer that Robinson had “some obsession” with Kirk, which investigators have linked to his “digital footprints.” He described the assassination as “an ideologically motivated attack.”
Investigators also uncovered shell casings from the .30-06 bolt-action rifle used in the murder, etched with references to pro-trans and anti-fascist ideologies. The casing from the bullet that killed Kirk carried the inscription, “Notices bulge OwO what’s this?” — a reference to a decade-old internet meme associated with the furry subculture, which often involves sexual interest in anthropomorphic animal characters.
Officials further revealed that Robinson lived with a romantic partner who is transgender and currently transitioning from male to female. A relative of the roommate, who is cooperating with investigators and has not been accused of wrongdoing, told authorities they believe the relationship may have influenced Robinson’s radicalism.
“He hates conservatives and Christians,” the relative said. “He hated us. He was not raised that way, but he, over the years, has become really detached [and] been radicalized.”
