US president says suspect was turned in by somebody ‘near him’ and that he hopes he will get ‘the dying penalty’.
Revealed On 12 Sep 2025
United States President Donald Trump has mentioned that “with a excessive diploma of certainty” the gunman within the killing of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk has been caught. The capturing was an act of violence that has reverberated throughout the US and underscored deep and poisonous political divisions.
A number of US media, together with the Related Press and the New York Put up, reported that the suspect is a 22-year-old man from Utah. Investigators had been on account of maintain a briefing afterward Friday to supply particulars on the case.
Trump mentioned {that a} minister, who can also be linked to legislation enforcement, turned within the suspect to authorities. “Someone that was very near him,” Trump mentioned.
Trump informed Fox & Buddies that he hoped the suspect received “the dying penalty”.
Trump additionally mentioned he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral.
The FBI and state officers on Thursday launched photographs and a video of the individual they consider is accountable. Kirk was shot as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at Utah Valley College in Orem.
The president mentioned he was knowledgeable of the suspect’s arrest “5 minutes earlier than I walked in” the studio, praising native authorities for his or her coordination. “They did a fantastic job, all people labored collectively. All of it labored out,” he mentioned.
Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him “the best individual” who was “like a son” to him. He mentioned Kirk was “an excellent man” who helped him win the election with TikTok and energised younger voters. “I’ve by no means seen younger individuals go to 1 individual like they did to Charlie,” Trump added.
The assassination affords the newest instance of how odd safety measures might be defeated in an period of escalating political violence, when anybody related to the political course of is a possible goal.
Trump mentioned political occasions should proceed regardless of security considerations. “It’s a must to go ahead,” he mentioned when requested about appearances getting cancelled after Kirk’s dying.
The suspect is within the custody of Utah state authorities, in keeping with a supply accustomed to the case who requested anonymity, Reuters reported.
Earlier the FBI circulated grainy safety photos exhibiting a person in a black long-sleeved shirt, darkish sun shades and a baseball cap. The shirt appeared to function a bald eagle flying throughout a US flag. Different footage confirmed the shooter operating throughout a roof earlier than decreasing himself to the bottom.
“Someone this shut recognises even a bit of tilt of the top, which no person else would do,” Trump mentioned on Fox.
Trump advised the suspect’s father had pushed him to a police station and handed him over to authorities.
Kirk, a conservative commentator and shut ally of Trump, was credited with boosting Republican help amongst youthful voters. He was killed moments earlier than main a debate titled “Show Me Fallacious” at Utah Valley College, about 65km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake Metropolis.
