The investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk took a major turn on Friday morning.
President Donald Trump announced during a live interview that a suspect is now in custody.
Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, sparking a nationwide manhunt that gripped the country.
According to the president, the arrest came after someone close to the suspect identified him and alerted authorities.
“With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody. Everyone did a great job,” Mr. Trump said on Fox and Friends.
He explained that the suspect’s father played a decisive role in convincing his son to surrender.
“Essentially, someone that was very close to him turned him in,” the president added, noting that a minister also acted as a bridge between the family and law enforcement.
Federal and local officials are expected to provide an official update at 9:30 a.m. ET, where more details will be revealed.
Meanwhile, the FBI has maintained its $100,000 reward offer for information that could further strengthen the case.
According to CBS News, Mr. Trump said a minister who works closely with law enforcement helped facilitate the handover.
“Somebody that was very close to him said ‘Hm, that’s him,’ and essentially went to the father, went to a U.S. Marshal who was fantastic by the way,” the president explained.
The involvement of both family and faith figures, Mr. Trump noted, showed the importance of cooperation in solving such sensitive cases.
When asked if Kirk would have wanted revenge over his death, Mr. Trump was quick to dismiss such notions.
“He’d want revenge at the voter box,” he said firmly, stressing that Kirk’s legacy would live on through political action, not violence.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been publicly released, but Trump hinted that the details would be officially disclosed during today’s briefing.
“I’m always subject to be corrected, but I’m just giving you based on what I’m hearing,” he added.
