In a stunning development in the investigation into the fatal shooting of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump announced Friday morning that authorities have taken a suspect into custody. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was gunned down during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the political world and sparking widespread condemnation of political violence.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Trump expressed confidence in the arrest, stating, “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody.” He added that “somebody very close to him turned him in,” revealing that the suspect’s father played a key role in convincing the individual to surrender to police. The president described the suspect as being “28 or 29 years old” but did not disclose a name or further details, noting that more information would be forthcoming from officials.
The FBI and Utah law enforcement had intensified their manhunt in the days following the shooting, releasing security footage, photos of a “person of interest,” and offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest. Investigators recovered a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon in a wooded area near the campus, along with a palm print and footwear impressions. Video evidence showed the suspect, described as a slim, college-age man with dark hair wearing a baseball cap and black T-shirt, fleeing the scene by jumping from a rooftop and escaping into a nearby neighborhood.
Kirk, a close ally of Trump and a influential voice in mobilizing young conservatives, was shot in the neck while addressing a crowd of about 3,000 students on the outdoor plaza. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the activist collapsed, with one attendee recalling the immediate realization that a gunshot had been fired. Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who attended a press conference alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, vowed to pursue the death penalty against the perpetrator and urged the public to assist in the investigation. “We need as much help as we can possibly get,” Cox said, emphasizing the national significance of the case.
The arrest comes amid a national outcry over rising political tensions. Vice President JD Vance postponed a 9/11 commemoration event to accompany Kirk’s family and casket back to his Arizona hometown on Air Force Two. Trump has pledged to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, hailing him as a “great guy” and a vital voice for young conservatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers echoed calls to end political violence, with Johnson labeling the act “detestable.”
As of this reporting, the FBI has not officially confirmed the arrest, and a news conference in Utah is expected later today to provide updates. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but authorities believe the suspect “blended in well” with the student crowd before the attack. This story is developing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
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