FBI probes chilling theories, questions behind Charlie Kirk’s assassination as online sleuths stir controversy

The FBI is still probing a slew of chilling theories and troubling questions about Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk’s murder, including some originally popularized by social media users, its chief said Sunday.

FBI Director Kash Patel insisted authorities haven’t let up on their investigation and have only expanded its scope.

For example, the bureau is looking into the vantage point from which alleged assassin Tyler Robinson fatally shot Kirk at Utah Valley University in front of a crowd on Sept. 10.

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Officials are also poring over recent texts from Robinson, including how he confessed to his transitioning boyfriend — exchanges that have been picked apart by online Gen Zers who insist very few 22-year-olds communicate with such complete sentences and punctuation.

Before Robinson was even identified as the prime suspect in Kirk’s death, experts speculated that the gunman lacked solid social skills but knew how to “blend in well” with the crowd.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility of accomplices and related conversations about the assassination before Sept. 10 in forums such as Discord, despite previously insisting that Robinson acted alone.

Robinson was part of a Steam and involving pro-trans groups with which Robinson was allegedly affiliated.

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Other avenues being explored by the FBI are tied more closely to theories born online in the immediate aftermath of the assassination, including some surrounding odd “signals” made by people near Kirk shortly before he was fatally shot in the neck, such as hand motions and baseball-cap tips.

The bullet’s trajectory and impact, which the FBI is studying, were dissected by morbidly curious users when the graphic, uncensored video of Kirk’s assassination was still widely available online.

Some observers speculated that the bullet originally hit his chest and ricocheted upward after striking a possible bulletproof vest under Kirk’s shirt. Others were sure it pierced his neck with no obstruction.

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Patel has said that at least one bizarre rumor — regarding a “plane that allegedly turned off its transponder after departing from an airport near the assassination site” — was just a red herring. Early theories before Robinson was apprehended included beliefs that the assassin escaped in a private plane.

“Some details are known today, while others are still being pursued to ensure every possibility is considered. Our primary focus is to complete this investigation and deliver justice,” Patel wrote on X.

“We are meticulously investigating theories and questions, including the location from where the shot was taken, the possibility of accomplices, the text message confession and related conversations, Discord chats, the angle of the shot and bullet impact, how the weapon was transported, hand gestures observed as potential ‘signals’ near Charlie at the time of his assassination, and visitors to the alleged shooter’s residence in the hours and days leading up to September 10, 2025.

“The entire FBI mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk,” Patel wrote. “We will not rest until justice is served, and our investigation into this assassination will continue until every question is answered.”

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The FBI leader’s candidness comes in response to the public’s overwhelming demand for transparency.

The earliest hours of the manhunt for Robinson were disastrous as the bureau took a staggering 33 hours to nab him and detained two unrelated suspects in the process.

Patel himself originally announced that authorities had the suspect in custody mere hours after Kirk was killed — but had to walk back his statement once the person were released shortly after.

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Robinson only popped up on their radar after he was turned in by his own father.

He could face the advocate against the steep punishment Sunday as her husband was memorialized before hundreds of thousands of mourners.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, which is the only crime in Utah that can qualify for the death penalty. He could face a firing squad.