Charlie Kirk Shooting Case: Suspect Arrested Following Nationwide Manhunt, Trump Confirms

US President Donald Trump on Friday said "with a high degree of certainty" that the suspect in the fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has been apprehended following a massive manhunt. "Someone very close to him turned him in," Trump told Fox News during a live studio interview.

Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday in what authorities described as a targeted attack. Utah's governor labeled the incident a political assassination. Kirk, who co-founded the nonprofit political organisation Turning Point USA, was a close ally of Trump.

Officials recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle near the scene and reported that the shooter jumped off a roof and fled into nearby woods after the attack.

🚨 BREAKING@POTUS: "I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody." pic.twitter.com/v7UX15Uibn

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 12, 2025

On Thursday, federal investigators and state officials released photos and video footage of the individual they believe carried out the shooting. The attack occurred as Kirk spoke to a crowd in a courtyard at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Authorities have received more than 7,000 leads and tips in connection with the case. The suspect has not yet been publicly named, nor has a motive been confirmed, marking the latest instance of politically motivated violence in the United States.