Former SLC police chief says FBI director’s actions could have hindered Charlie Kirk shooting investigation

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny on Capitol Hill this week over his leadership, including his handling of Charlie Kirk’s shooting. One former Salt Lake City police chief thinks Patel’s visit to Utah shortly after the shooting and the information he shared online hours after the shooting could hinder the case.

“I’m honored to be the ninth director of the FBI,” Kash Patel said while giving testimony. “I’m not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on.”  

Patel is expected to give testimony both Tuesday and Wednesday on Capitol Hill to answer lawmakers’ questions about his leadership. Today, many asked about the Epstein files, lawsuits from former employees, and Charlie Kirk’s shooting.  

Some accused him of politicizing the FBI and getting personally involved in the case. Others thanked him for his work. One of those to thank him was Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who later asked: “How is the FBI working to find other potential accomplices, folks who may have known about the shooter’s plans, folks who may have encouraged him. Any update?”  

“In terms of what we do for an investigation,” replied Patel. “We go back and reach out to the family and community immediately, and we’ve conducted those interrogations with local law enforcement, and we’re continuing to do that because those closest to the suspect are going to know, hopefully, the most about the suspect.”  

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown recently sat down with Inside Utah Politics’ Lindsey Aerts to talk about whether the state’s prosecution could be politicizing this case.   

“Does the fact that the person who was killed is on your side of the aisle, does that make a difference in how you prosecute this?” asked Aerts. 

“No,” replied Brown.

“It’s the same no matter what?”  Aerts continued.

“It’s the same because a crime is a crime, violence is violence, and the law is very clear,” stated Brown.  

During the initial stages of the investigation, Patel made a trip to the Beehive State. Former Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank says this was a mistake.   

“Again, who’s in charge of this investigation? I want the people who know the most, who have the most experience, and be in charge of making the decisions,” Burbank stated. “Not someone who is unfamiliar or just looking to grandstand or be in front of the camera.” 

He compared it to his time as a chief.

“I had no business as the police chief showing up to a homicide investigation,” said Burbank. “I pay people, I trust people to make those decisions. I’m there to be the resource. If you need more, if you need something, call me, but otherwise if I show up, people start looking to you to lead, to guide, to do those things, inappropriately so.” 

The day of the shooting, Patel also used social media to share messages about potential subjects. He released information that local authorities could not confirm for hours. This, Burbank believes, was also a mistake.  

“This was very confusing, and the misinformation, I think, is what’s probably most inappropriate about this,” Burbank said. “What will be interesting as the trial plays out is how does this misinformation and back and forth play into the successful prosecution of this individual?”