Featured Image Credit: Fox News
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, Crime, US News, World News
Madison Burgess
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, Crime, US News, World News
Donald Trump has said a possible suspect involved in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk is in police custody.
Speaking on Fox News's daily talk show, Fox & Friends, the US president confirmed today (Friday 12 September) that there has been a big update on the case.
When asked if there are any developments on the suspect, the 79-year-old Republican leader said: "I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody."
As reported by BBC News, Trump added that he found out the suspect was allegedly in custody 'five minutes before' he walked in to do the interview.
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Elaborating, the world leader said that 'someone very close,' to the suspect turned him in, later alleging that his own father helped.
"They drove into the police headquarters, and he's there now," Trump told viewers.
He also said on the programme that the suspect is '28 or 29,' despite the FBI previously saying he was 'of college age'.
Authorities are yet to confirm and have not revealed the name of the supposed suspect.
Trump went on to thank the authorities for doing a 'great job' and 'working together,' adding: "It all worked out."
He explained how authorities began with 'absolutely nothing' when the shooting took place just a few days ago.
"We started off with a clip that made him look like an ant, that was almost useless. We just saw there was somebody up there," he said.
The president also made the statement that he hopes Kirk's killer gets the death penalty, BBC News have reported.
"Kirk was the finest person and he didn't deserve this," he said, speaking on Fox & Friends.
"Things may change, but facts are the facts, we have who we're looking for."
31-year-old right-wing activist Kirk was shot as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday (10 September).
Graphic video footage that has circulated on social media showed the ally of Trump being fatally shot with a single bullet through the neck, sparking a huge manhunt to find the person responsible.
Federal investigators and state officials have since released photos and a video of the person they believe is responsible, but they are yet to release a name.
The shooter, who investigators believe blended into the campus crowd because of a college-age appearance, fired one shot from the rooftop, according to authorities.
Video released on Thursday (11 September) showed the person then walking through the grass and across the street before disappearing.
“I can tell you this was a targeted event,” said Robert Bohls, the top FBI agent in Salt Lake City.
Kirk’s coffin has been flown aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Phoenix, where his non-profit political youth organisation, Turning Point USA, is based.
Trump told reporters he plans to attend Mr Kirk’s funeral, but details have not been announced yet.