President Donald Trump said that a suspect is in custody in the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
In an in-studio appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump told the hosts, “I think with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody, in custody. Everyone did a great job. We worked with the local police, the governor.”
The FBI and Utah authorities have not yet released any information. On Thursday night, additional video was released of the suspect, dropping from a rooftop after the shooting, as authorities asked the public for tips and assistance in identifying him. They also offered $100,000 for information that led to the arrest of the suspect.
Trump said that he had been told about the suspect about five minutes before his Fox & Friends appearance.
The president indicted that the suspect’s father “brought him to a U.S. Marhsal who was fantastic. And the father convinced the son, ‘This is it.’ I am always subject to be corrected, but I’m just giving you based on what I am hearing.”
In the initial aftermath of the shooting, there were initial reports from Utah Valley University that a suspect was in custody, but that was not the case. Later, FBI Director Kash Patel said that a “subject” had been caught, but he later announced that person had been released. Another person also had been interviewed and released.
Authorities believe they have recovered what they believe was the weapon used in the shooting, a high-powered bolt action rifle. It was found in a nearby wooded area, authorities said.
Kirk, one of the most prominent political activists and organizers on the right, had been addressing thousands of college students at an outdoor event. As he was answering one question, about transgender individuals involved in mass shootings, a single shot was heard, striking him in the neck. About two hours later, Trump announced his death on Truth Social. The president said on Thursday that he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
More to come.
