Salt Lake City, Utah — In the wake of a shocking assassination that rattled a quiet Utah community earlier this month, a special investigative report has drawn national attention. Veteran broadcaster Megyn Kelly sat down with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino for an in-depth conversation that peeled back the layers of a case as complex as it is disturbing. The interview, broadcast on Kelly’s program late Thursday, provided rare insight into the behind-the-scenes work of federal agents as they coordinate with state and local law-enforcement agencies to piece together the grim puzzle.
While the investigation remains active and many details are under seal, what Kelly and Bongino revealed was enough to paint a vivid portrait of the intense forensic effort underway — from evidence recovery in the first crucial hours to the sophisticated DNA analysis that may prove decisive in identifying a suspect.
A Community in Shock
The assassination — authorities have yet to release the victim’s name pending next-of-kin notifications — unfolded in the early hours of September 14 in a residential neighborhood just south of downtown Salt Lake City. Residents described hearing what sounded like a single gunshot followed by screeching tires. Police arrived within minutes to find the victim, a man in his early 40s, fatally wounded near his driveway.
“The scene was chaotic,” said one neighbor, recalling the flashing lights and the heavy police presence that remained for days. “You just don’t expect that kind of violence here.”
Local officers quickly secured the area, but within hours the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were on site, signaling that the incident was being treated as a potential targeted assassination with federal implications.
Megyn Kelly’s Exclusive Interview
In her wide-ranging interview, Megyn Kelly pressed Deputy Director Bongino for answers about the early stages of the probe. Known for his years in federal protective services before entering law-enforcement leadership, Bongino spoke with measured candor about the investigative challenges.
“In any homicide, the first 24 hours are critical,” Bongino said. “In a targeted killing like this one, with evidence suggesting planning and intent, every minute lost can mean losing a lead forever.”
Bongino emphasized that the FBI’s rapid deployment teams arrived the same morning, working alongside Salt Lake City detectives to document the scene, interview witnesses, and begin the painstaking process of collecting and preserving physical evidence.
Kelly noted the public’s frustration with the lack of immediate answers. Bongino responded that such caution is necessary: “People want quick results, but rushing risks contaminating evidence or compromising the integrity of the investigation. We owe the victim, and the community, a thorough job.”
The Firearm Wrapped in a Towel
One of the most striking revelations in the interview concerned the recovery of a firearm believed to be connected to the killing. According to Bongino, investigators discovered a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol that appeared to have been hastily discarded and later retrieved by an unknown individual.
“We located the weapon in a highly unusual state — it was wrapped in a bath towel and left near a drainage ditch approximately two blocks from the crime scene,” Bongino disclosed.
“The fact that it was wrapped tells us the person who placed it there understood how trace evidence can link a shooter to a weapon.”
The towel itself, he added, became as important as the gun. Forensic teams carefully processed both items for latent fingerprints, hair fibers, and — crucially — touch DNA that could point investigators toward a suspect.
Kelly highlighted that the discovery underscored how easily small details, even something as mundane as a household towel, can become a pivotal piece of evidence.
Forensic Breakthrough: The DNA Clue
Bongino confirmed that DNA recovered from the towel has yielded a partial profile, which is now undergoing comparison through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). While he stopped short of declaring a match, he called the result “promising.”
“This is the kind of evidence that can break a case open,” Bongino said. “It narrows the field dramatically. We’re optimistic, but we still have to corroborate everything with additional investigative work — surveillance, eyewitness accounts, phone records, and more.”
Forensic analysts at the FBI’s Quantico laboratory reportedly prioritized the Utah samples. Sources familiar with the process told Kelly’s program that the towel likely retained perspiration and trace epithelial cells from whoever handled the firearm.
Coordinating Agencies: FBI and ATF in Tandem
The interview underscored the critical partnership between the FBI and ATF. While the FBI leads the homicide investigation and manages forensic analysis, the ATF has taken the lead on firearms tracing — working to identify the gun’s point of sale, original purchaser, and any subsequent transfers.
Kelly asked whether the firearm’s history had produced meaningful leads. Bongino confirmed that tracing was underway but could not disclose specifics.
“We’re looking at whether the gun was stolen, purchased legally, or trafficked,” he said. “Each possibility tells a very different story about the perpetrator’s preparation.”
Both agencies are also collaborating with Utah’s state crime lab and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office to ensure that once a suspect is identified, prosecutors will have a strong, evidence-driven case.
Challenges on the Ground
Kelly’s conversation revealed how investigators grappled with several complications:
- Contaminated Crime Scene: The early-morning rain and the presence of onlookers made it harder to preserve footprints and tire impressions.
- Digital Blind Spots: Nearby surveillance cameras were either disabled or pointed away from the scene, suggesting possible pre-planning by the perpetrator.
- Witness Reluctance: Some residents were reportedly hesitant to come forward, fearing retaliation.
Bongino stressed that such obstacles are common in high-profile cases but that federal resources — including advanced forensic mapping and mobile DNA labs — help mitigate these challenges.
The Human Side of Investigation
In a more reflective segment, Kelly asked Bongino about the emotional toll on investigators dealing with grisly evidence and high-stakes public pressure.
“You never get used to it,” Bongino admitted. “But you learn to channel that pressure into focus. We have a victim’s family waiting for answers, and that drives us to keep going.”
Kelly’s own background as a former attorney allowed her to probe deeper into the balance between investigative transparency and protecting due process — an issue that often frustrates both journalists and victims’ families.
Public Safety and Community Trust
Beyond the immediate case, the conversation touched on broader themes of community trust in law enforcement. Bongino emphasized outreach efforts, including neighborhood meetings and regular briefings to keep residents informed without compromising investigative integrity.
Salt Lake City’s Police Chief, in a separate statement to local media, credited federal partners for their swift action:
“The teamwork we’re seeing — FBI agents shoulder-to-shoulder with our detectives and the ATF’s firearms specialists — demonstrates the best of inter-agency cooperation.”
Next Steps in the Investigation
While no arrest has been announced, Bongino signaled that the investigation is moving toward a crucial phase:
- The DNA profile from the towel is being cross-checked with databases nationwide.
- Additional warrants for phone and vehicle records have been issued.
- Ballistics testing is underway to definitively link the recovered firearm to the fatal shot.
Kelly concluded the interview by assuring viewers that her program will continue following the case as new information becomes public.
A Case That Captivates the Nation
The Utah assassination investigation has captured widespread attention not only for its brutality but also for the rare glimpse it offers into the inner workings of modern criminal forensics. Kelly’s interview with Bongino provided a compelling, humanized view of the painstaking detective work that often remains hidden from the public eye.
In the days ahead, Utah residents — and viewers nationwide — await updates, hoping that the collaboration between federal and local authorities will soon bring justice to the victim’s family and restore a sense of security to a community shaken by violence.
