FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on Monday that investigators are carefully examining whether the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk acted entirely alone or whether he was part of a broader conspiracy, stressing that the evidence so far suggests the man in custody may have been deeply “consumed” by political ideology in the weeks leading up to the fatal attack.
Speaking during an interview on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, Bongino emphasized that although one suspect is currently behind bars, the investigation is not limited to him alone. According to Bongino, the bureau is also exploring the possibility that accomplices or other individuals may have provided assistance.
“We’re looking into whether this was part of a larger effort, whether there was any financial aid involved, or if someone knew specific details of the plan and failed to report it,” he explained to host Bill Hemmer. “There will not be a single stone left unturned—we are pursuing every lead with precision.”
One of the most significant breakthroughs for investigators came from security footage that showed the gunman leaping from a rooftop immediately after firing the deadly shot. Bongino noted that the video was crucial in unraveling the case, providing key clues about the weapon and the suspect’s movements. “When you watch the video, it becomes clear that the gun was either hidden inside the backpack or still on his person,” he said. “From that footage, we were able to recover a large portion of the forensic evidence, which ultimately became the decisive piece of information that cracked the case open.”
Bongino also confirmed earlier reports that the suspect had previously expressed violent intentions and made disturbing statements about his desire to commit the act. “In cases of targeted violence—whether it’s political assassinations or school shootings—you often see individuals openly declare what they intend to do beforehand. That appears to have been the situation here as well,” he explained.
Family members and coworkers of the suspect told investigators that in the weeks prior to the September 10 assassination of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, he had undergone a noticeable transformation. He became increasingly withdrawn, more distant in his daily interactions, and far more immersed in politics than before. “The data we have gathered indicates very clearly that this ideology had consumed him, it had taken over his mindset entirely,” Bongino said.
Family games

He stressed that the suspect was not driven by a sudden emotional outburst or a random act of violence, but by a clear, ideologically fueled determination to target Kirk specifically. “He had made up his mind that Charlie was going to be his target, and it is entirely possible that others may have known about this plan beforehand,” Bongino stated. “It is fairly obvious at this point that this was an ideologically motivated attack.”