Police apprehended the suspected gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday.
Trump said on Fox News that he learned about the arrest minutes before joining the broadcast.
Reports indicate someone close to the shooter provided information that led investigators to the suspect’s location.
Manhunt and Evidence Trail
FBI and Utah police released surveillance video Thursday showing a person fleeing after Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.
Footage showed the suspect in sunglasses, Converse shoes, and a black shirt with an eagle and flag.
The individual ran across a roof, jumped off, and crossed a street into wooded terrain before discarding a rifle.
Authorities recovered the high-powered weapon, forensic evidence, and prints from the building’s edge.
Investigators collected palm, forearm, shoe impressions, and potential DNA to strengthen their case.
Mason said the suspect blended into campus life and appeared to be college-aged.
Police admitted uncertainty about whether the suspect remained in Utah or escaped elsewhere.
Public Tips and National Response
The public submitted more than 7,000 tips, the largest volume since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
The FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s capture.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed prosecutors would pursue the death penalty once the shooter faced trial.
Kirk was shot in daylight while answering a question about gun violence at his Utah Valley University event.
The killing ignited bipartisan condemnation and highlighted America’s escalating political violence.
President Trump mourned Kirk’s death, pledged justice, and warned of broader threats to national stability.
