WATCH: Rep. Neguse Questions FBI Director Kash Patel Following Reports the Agency Was Investigating “Violent” Social Media Account Linked to Evergreen High School Shooter

Washington, D.C. — Today, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse questioned Kash Patel, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), on the agency’s investigation of a social media account that may have belonged to the teenager responsible for shooting two students at Evergreen High School last week. 

Neguse asked for further information regarding the FBI’s efforts to track down who was behind the account.

Watch the full clip HERE. 

The clip is available for download HERE.

NEGUSE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing. Thank you, Director Patel, for being here today. I have a couple of questions regarding a terrible shooting that occurred in Colorado. The state, that as you may know, that I represent. You’ve testified previously about, I think, what you would describe as your efforts to provide more information regarding the investigation with respect to the horrific assassination of Mr. [Charlie] Kirk. And so, in that same vein, I’m hoping you can provide this Committee and my constituents in Colorado with some clarity—

PATEL: Absolutely. 

NEGUSE: I think, as my colleagues know, in Evergreen, Colorado—Jefferson County—a county that I proudly represent. In Evergreen High School, a shooter ultimately injured two students—we’re praying for their swift recovery. There's an article here from Colorado Public Radio, the title is, quote, “FBI was already investigating an account that may have been linked to the Evergreen shooter.” And you're familiar with the circumstances generally, Director, regarding this terrible tragedy? 

PATEL: Of course. Yes. 

NEGUSE: So, my understanding from the public reporting, is that an organization reported to the FBI in July of this year regarding, just reading here from the article, that “the FBI opened an assessment into a social media account user whose identity was unknown and who was discussing the planning of a mass shooting with threats non-specific in nature.” This is the FBI’s statement to the press, and that the FBI continued to work this assessment investigation to identify the name and location of the user up until September 10th, 2025, which was the day of the tragedy. Can you provide us some clarity on what were the impediments to finding, you know, the account user and maybe describe in greater detail the FBI’s work in that regard?

PATEL: Generally speaking, yes, because I know even though the shooter's deceased, the investigation is…we're not done. And so, the impediments to finding these individuals, and you highlight a great point. We had two huge tragedies in the span of days in this country. The school shooting in Evergreen, Colorado, being one of them. And, proactively going out onto these social media platforms, which are so large, is our biggest impediment. And we need to rely on the service providers. There's actual legislation, I can't remember the name of it that’s up for renewal, which will, and I think at the end of the month, which gives service providers the ability to report that information from their end without liability. We need that to continue, because while the FBI has so many people and the police are great at doing it, there's just too many platforms to cover down on.

NEGUSE: I appreciate that, Director Patel and I think we're certainly—I'm interested in continuing this conversation because I think the reporting suggests, that this, that there's a pattern and that ultimately, you know, we want to make sure that law enforcement is able to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening in the future.