The suspect accused of killing right-wing personality Charlie Kirk has been caught, says President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Fox & Friends on Friday, Sept. 12, Trump was asked if there was an update on the manhunt for the suspect, to which he responded, “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody.”
Trump continued that he heard that the suspect was in custody “five minutes before I walked in,” and added that local authorities “did a great job, everybody worked together”. “It all worked out,” he said.
The president added that “someone very close” to the suspect turned him in, per the BBC.
Kirk, 31, was shot while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Video posted from the event appeared to show the 31-year-old right-wing political commentator being struck as he spoke to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent.
Kirk shared photos and video from the event on X just moments before the shooting began. The event was hosted by Turning Point USA, the nonprofit organization founded by Kirk that advocates for conservative politics on college campuses.
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Charlie Kirk, Leading Right-Wing Personality, Dies at 31 After Utah College Shooting
Charlie Kirk, Right-Wing Activist, Shot on College Tour in Utah
Authorities believe the shooter fired at Kirk from a building about 200 feet away. Police apprehended two persons of interest soon after the shooting, but they were later released.
In a press conference Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting a “political assassination.”
Prior to the suspect’s arrest, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said a high-powered, bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the shooting was found near the scene.
Authorities also said the had images of the shooter but did not immediately release them to the public, saying “technologies” were being used to review it. A forearm imprint, a footwear print and palm imprint were also located on top of the roof of the building.
Bohls also called Kirk’s killing targeted, suggesting that there was no active threat to the community in Orem.
