US president says suspect was turned in by somebody ‘near him’ and that he hopes he will get ‘the demise penalty’.
Printed On 12 Sep 2025
United States President Donald Trump has mentioned that “with a excessive diploma of certainty” the gunman within the killing of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk has been caught. The taking pictures was an act of violence that has reverberated throughout the US and underscored deep and poisonous political divisions.
Trump mentioned on Friday {that a} minister, who can be linked to legislation enforcement, turned within the suspect to authorities. “Any person that was very near him,” Trump mentioned.
Trump informed Fox & Mates that he hoped the suspect received “the demise penalty”.
Trump additionally mentioned he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral.
The FBI and state officers on Thursday launched photographs and a video of the individual they consider is accountable. Kirk was shot as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at Utah Valley College in Orem.
The president mentioned he was knowledgeable of the suspect’s arrest “5 minutes earlier than I walked in” the studio, praising native authorities for his or her coordination. “They did an ideal job, all people labored collectively. All of it labored out,” he mentioned.
Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him “the best individual” who was “like a son” to him. He mentioned Kirk was “a superb man” who helped him win the election with TikTok and energised younger voters. “I’ve by no means seen younger folks go to 1 individual like they did to Charlie,” Trump added.
The suspect is “28 or 29”, in line with Trump. Investigators had been attributable to maintain a briefing afterward Friday with extra particulars.
The suspect is within the custody of Utah state authorities, in line with a supply conversant in the case who requested anonymity, Reuters reported.
Earlier the FBI circulated grainy safety photographs exhibiting a person in a black long-sleeved shirt, darkish sun shades and a baseball cap. The shirt appeared to characteristic a bald eagle flying throughout a US flag. Different footage confirmed the shooter working throughout a roof earlier than reducing himself to the bottom.
“Any person this shut recognises even slightly tilt of the top, which no person else would do,” Trump mentioned on Fox.
Trump instructed the suspect’s father had pushed him to a police station and handed him over to authorities.
Kirk, a conservative commentator and shut ally of Trump, was credited with boosting Republican assist amongst youthful voters. He was killed moments earlier than main a debate titled “Show Me Flawed” at Utah Valley College, about 65km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake Metropolis.
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