'Just doesn't happen': NBC expert shocked by Kash Patel's unusual response to Charlie Kirk's death

Shortly after Charlie Kirk's death, Kash Patel posted that the shooter had been caught but soon retracted the statement
PUBLISHED SEP 11, 2025
NBC's Ken Dilanian was shocked by FBI Director Kash Patel's reaction to Charlie Kirk's assassination (Getty Images, Screengrab/MSNBC)
NBC's Ken Dilanian was shocked by FBI Director Kash Patel's reaction to Charlie Kirk's assassination (Getty Images, Screengrab/MSNBC)

WASHINGTON, DC: NBC's Justice and Intelligence correspondent Ken Dilanian was shocked by FBI Director Kash Patel’s response to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, September 10.

Kirk was attending an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot in the neck by a sniper who remains at large. Authorities said that Kirk was shot from a distance of about 200 yards, and suggested that the shooter "wasn’t an amateur".

NBC's Ken Dilanian says 'information flow to Kash Patel has not been accurate'

Shortly after Charlie Kirk's assassination, Kash Patel posted on social media and mentioned that the shooter had been caught.

"The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able," the FBI Director posted on X.



 

However, after two hours, Patel mentioned in another post, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."



 

Meanwhile, Ken Dilanian appeared on 'The Last Word' on MSNBC after a few hours, where Lawrence O’Donnell asked if Kash Patel planned to head to Utah.

Dilanian replied, "I don’t have that information, Lawrence. Kash Patel is not known to sort of publicly broadcast his movements except in narrow instances when he wants those to be known. I have no information that he is heading to the scene, but it’s not outside of the realm of possibility."

Moreover, the NBC intel expert then expressed disbelief that Patel would take a victory lap by basically announcing that the shooter had been caught when that was not true.

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

"What’s clear is that the information flow to [Patel] has not been accurate, or he is not interpreting it correctly, because it was just remarkable to have him say that– essentially imply that the shooter had been caught and then two hours later announcing that that person was not, in fact, the shooter and had been released. That just doesn’t happen in these situations," Dilanian said.

He further explained that the Trump administration had recently removed the director of the FBI’s field office in Salt Lake City.

He further reported that FBI resources had been diverted to immigration cases.

The scene after shots were fired at an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
The scene after shots were fired at an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

"Look, I’ve been talking to people all night who assure me that very competent and capable FBI and other federal agents are bringing all the resources to bear to try to hunt down this shooter," the NBC intel expert said.

Eric Trump rages after Charlie Kirk’s death

President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump fumed in anger following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and said that he is "sick and tired" of seeing bullets fly, which are "only going one way."

During an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday, Eric Trump said, "It is hard to fathom. We have seen enough death. We have seen enough senseless killings."



 

"I'm sick and tired of seeing the bullets—they are only going one way! First, it was my father, then you saw what they tried to do to Kavanaugh, to Steve Scalise. Now they just killed Charlie Kirk," he added.

Eric further mentioned, "When is there accountability from MSNBC and NBC and everybody else who just fosters this hate every single day, including today, right after that incredible man right there was kiIIed? It's enough!"

Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

The 31-year-old conservative activist was critically injured and was taken to a hospital urgently for treatment. However, President Donald Trump provided an update shortly on his condition and confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries.

Following Kirk's death, the American flags on the White House roof and the north and south lawns have been lowered to half staff in his honor as ordered by the president.

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