President Donald Trump said Friday morning that a suspect is in custody in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and that the suspect was turned in by his father and a minister in southern Utah.
Trump made the claim during an appearance on Fox News, saying he was confident investigators "have him" and that he hopes the suspect, if convicted, would receive the death penalty. The FBI and Justice Department did not immediately confirm the president's account. A news conference was scheduled later Friday in Utah where federal and state authorities have been leading the investigation.
The shooting occurred Wednesday at Utah Valley University, where the 31-year-old Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA, was addressing students. Authorities have said the assailant fired from a rooftop before fleeing into nearby woods. Investigators have recovered a high-powered rifle in that area and cited a palm print and a shoe impression among the physical evidence gathered so far.
Video released by investigators shows a lone person running across a campus rooftop, climbing down at the edge of the building and jumping to the ground before emerging into the wooded area, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at a news conference Thursday. Officials described the person in the footage as a man of college age wearing a distinctive T-shirt and a baseball cap with a triangle logo.
The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, and the multijurisdictional investigation has generated more than 7,000 tips and more than 200 interviews, authorities said. Law enforcement officials have appealed to the public for assistance, saying the investigation could not proceed without community help.
Kirk's wife posted a Bible verse on social media on Thursday; Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children. The shooting has prompted national attention and prompted immediate debate across political and media circles about rhetoric and safety at public events. Commentators, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, publicly weighed in with opinions tying the killing to political polarization; officials have not identified a motive and have urged the public to avoid speculation while the probe continues.
FBI Director Kash Patel joined Gov. Cox at Thursday's news conference as federal agents outlined the evidence collected and the steps investigators were taking to identify the shooter. Officials said the search intensified after images and video were distributed publicly and that the investigation remained active across local, state and federal agencies.
The White House comment from Trump also included reference to Utah's death-penalty statutes and praise for Gov. Cox. Trump said he had "gotten to know" the governor and that the governor "is intent on the death penalty in this case and he should be." Utah law does allow capital punishment for certain crimes, but any prosecution decisions would rest with state and federal authorities and are subject to established legal procedures.
The Daily Mail released a podcast series examining the killing, and media outlets continue to follow developments as investigators seek to confirm whether authorities have arrested a suspect and to establish a timeline and motive. Law enforcement officials have warned that details may change as forensic work proceeds and as leads are vetted.
Officials asked anyone with information or relevant footage to contact the FBI and local law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said further information would be released as it became available.