The FBI is investigating more than 20 people who discussed conservative political activist Charlie Kirk's assassination in chatroom on the Discord application, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday (September 16), the New York Post reports.

"Did Mr. Kirk's assassin act alone?" Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked Patel.

"There are a number of individuals that are currently being investigated and interrogated — and a number yet to be investigated and interrogated related to that chatroom," Patel said.

"So others could have been involved?" Kennedy asked.

"Yes sir," Patel replied.

The FBI director had previously told Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) that "a lot more" than 20 people were involved in the Discord channel discussion.

“I see the public reports that the Discord thread had as many as 20 additional users,” Hawley said.

“It's a lot more than that," Patel answered. "We're running them all down.”

Patel's statement came hours after he claimed that a chilling text message sent by Tyler Robinson, the suspect arrested in Kirk's assassination, could indicate a potential motive during an appearance on FOX News' Hannity Monday (September 15) night.

“[W]hat was found, in terms of information, a text message exchange where the suspect [Robinson], specifically stated that he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do that,” Patel said.

“And when [Robinson] was asked why, he said, ‘Some hatred cannot be negotiated with,’” he added.

DNA matching Robinson, 22, was found on a towel that covered the bolt-action hunting rifle suspected to have been used in Kirk's murder when it was ditched, as well as a screwdriver found on top of the roof of the building where the sniper fired the fatal shot, Patel told FOX & Friends Monday morning.

“I can report today that the DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA from the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody,” he said.

Further DNA found on the suspected weapon is still being analyzed to determine links to Robinson, according to Patel. Additionally, the suspect allegedly wrote a note saying he had the opportunity to "take out Charlie Kirk" and was "going to take it," according to the FBI director.

“His family has collectively told investigators that he subscribed to left-wing ideology and even more so in these last couple of years,” Patel said, claiming authorities have already seen a "text message exchange" between Robinson and another person.

“He claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for,” he added.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during what was scheduled to be the first stop on his 'American Comeback Tour' at Utah Valley University last Wednesday (September 10). Robinson was publicly identified by police following his arrest last Friday (September 12).

Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012. The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers.

Kirk enthusiastically supported President Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.

Jim Rose