Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk at Utah University
Orem, Utah – A suspect linked to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been taken into custody, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday. The arrest ends a tense 24-hour manhunt after Kirk was fatally shot during a university appearance that Trump condemned as a “heinous assassination.”
Arrest Ends Nationwide Manhunt
Trump revealed in a Fox News interview that the suspect was turned in by someone who knew him. “I think we have him,” Trump said, praising the swift coordination between federal and local authorities.
Investigators had earlier recovered a bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon and released surveillance images of a person of interest dressed in black clothing, sunglasses, and a baseball cap emblazoned with an eagle over a U.S. flag.
The Shooting at Utah Valley University
Kirk, 31, was addressing a crowd of more than 3,000 at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, when the sniper attack occurred. The event, titled “Prove Me Wrong”, was part of Kirk’s American Comeback Tour across U.S. college campuses.
Security footage showed the shooter entering stairwells, climbing to a rooftop, and firing a single shot that struck Kirk in the neck while he was answering a question on gun violence. Panic erupted as audience members fled.
The assailant then jumped from the rooftop and escaped into a nearby neighborhood. Authorities later discovered the rifle, palm prints, and footprints in a wooded area close to campus.
FBI and State Investigators on the Case
FBI officials described the firearm as a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle.” Investigators closed the campus on Thursday, combing rooftops and nearby woods for evidence. Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason noted that the shooter appeared to be of college age and “blended in well” among students.
Political Shockwaves and Tributes
Kirk’s killing drew condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats, as well as international leaders, who denounced the rise of political violence in the U.S.
Trump announced that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, an outspoken conservative and co-founder of Turning Point USA, built a national following by energizing younger voters within the Republican Party. He was also a podcast host, author, and a strong supporter of Trump’s policies.
Known for his fiery debates on race, gender, immigration, religion, and gun rights, Kirk frequently challenged opponents from across the political spectrum, often inviting critics to engage him directly during live events.
Kirk leaves behind his wife and two young children.