Orem: President Donald Trump declared Friday that the suspect linked to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is now in custody, marking a dramatic turn in a manhunt that has gripped the nation since the shocking killing two days ago.
Speaking on Fox News, Trump stated that the man responsible for the shooting had been handed over to authorities by someone close to him. “I think we have him,” Trump said, assuring the public that investigators were making rapid progress. The President’s remarks came even as official confirmation from the FBI and Utah state authorities was still pending, highlighting the tense atmosphere and confusion surrounding the case.
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative commentator, was gunned down on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session at Utah Valley University. As Kirk addressed an audience of more than 3,000 people, a sniper’s bullet struck him in the neck, killing him instantly. Witnesses reported chaos as security rushed to protect the crowd while the shooter fled the scene.
Investigators immediately launched a large-scale manhunt. Surveillance cameras captured images of a man dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and a cap, running from the rooftop where the fatal shot originated. Near the site, police recovered a bolt-action rifle along with palm prints and footprints believed to belong to the shooter.
Initially, two individuals were detained, but both were released after officials determined they were not connected to the crime. The lack of clarity and absence of an official arrest led to widespread speculation until Trump’s announcement on Friday suggested that the search may have reached a breakthrough.
The killing has reverberated across political circles, with Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox describing it as a “political assassination.” Trump, who was personally close to Kirk, has vowed to honor him posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Meanwhile, lawmakers and community leaders have urged for calm, warning against deepening divisions amid already heightened tensions in American politics.
Despite Trump’s statement, many details remain uncertain. Authorities have yet to disclose the identity of the suspect, a possible motive, or whether the shooter acted alone. Federal investigators continue to sift through evidence and interview witnesses as they piece together how the attack was planned and executed.
For now, the country waits for official confirmation of Trump’s claim. The murder of Charlie Kirk has not only deprived conservatives of a key voice but has also reignited debates over the security of public figures and the escalating risks of politically motivated violence.