US president says suspect was turned in by somebody ‘near him’ and that he hopes he will get ‘the loss of life penalty’.
Printed On 12 Sep 2025
United States President Donald Trump has stated that “with a excessive diploma of certainty” the gunman within the killing of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk has been caught. The taking pictures 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 Publish, reported that the suspect is a 22-year-old man from Utah. Investigators have been as a result of maintain a briefing in a while Friday to supply particulars on the case.
Trump stated {that a} minister, who can also be linked to regulation enforcement, turned within the suspect to authorities. “Someone that was very near him,” Trump stated.
Trump advised Fox & Buddies that he hoped the suspect obtained “the loss of life penalty”.
Trump additionally stated he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral.
The FBI and state officers on Thursday launched pictures and a video of the particular person they imagine is accountable. Kirk was shot as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at Utah Valley College in Orem.
The president stated 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 an excellent job, everyone labored collectively. All of it labored out,” he stated.
Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him “the best particular person” who was “like a son” to him. He stated Kirk was “a superb man” who helped him win the election with TikTok and energised younger voters. “I’ve by no means seen younger folks go to 1 particular person like they did to Charlie,” Trump added.
The assassination presents the most recent instance of how unusual safety measures could be defeated in an period of escalating political violence, when anybody related to the political course of is a possible goal.
Trump stated political occasions should proceed regardless of security issues. “It’s important to go ahead,” he stated when requested about appearances getting cancelled after Kirk’s loss of life.
The suspect is within the custody of Utah state authorities, based on a supply conversant in the case who requested anonymity, Reuters reported.
Earlier the FBI circulated grainy safety photos displaying a person in a black long-sleeved shirt, darkish sun shades and a baseball cap. The shirt appeared to characteristic 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 little bit tilt of the pinnacle, which no person else would do,” Trump stated on Fox.
Trump urged 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 Flawed” at Utah Valley College, about 65km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake Metropolis.
