Police apprehended the suspected gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, President Donald Trump confirmed Friday.
Trump told Fox News he learned about the arrest minutes before his appearance, saying officials held the suspect in custody.
A source close to the alleged shooter disclosed the suspect’s location, which led authorities to make the arrest.
Hunt for Gunman Intensifies with Public Help
FBI and Utah police released video Thursday showing a suspect fleeing after Kirk’s assassination on a college campus.
Officials urged citizens to provide information, with Utah’s Beau Mason noting public tips produced critical leads for investigators.
Footage depicted the suspect in sunglasses, Converse shoes, and a black flag-printed shirt escaping across a roof and street.
Police later recovered a high-powered rifle in a wooded area, believed to be the murder weapon used against Kirk.
Evidence and Leads Mount Against Suspect
Investigators gathered a rifle, shoe prints, palm and forearm imprints, fingerprints, and DNA from the escape site.
Authorities released multiple images of the suspect, who carried a backpack and appeared to blend in with students.
Law enforcement admitted uncertainty about whether the suspect remained in Utah or had escaped across state lines.
Officials reported more than 7,000 public tips, the highest figure since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing investigation.
The FBI offered $100,000 for information identifying or arresting those responsible for Kirk’s murder.
Nation Reacts to Assassination
Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed prosecutors would pursue the death penalty once courts convict the suspect.
Kirk died after being shot while answering a question about gun violence during his Utah Valley University event.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned the assassination and warned of growing threats of political violence across the country.
Trump expressed grief, pledged justice, and voiced deep concern for America following the daylight killing of Kirk.
