Trump says ‘with a high degree of certainty’ that suspect in Charlie Kirk killing has been caught

US President Donald Trump said Friday that the suspect who killed Charlie Kirk has been taken into police custody. The assailant reportedly turned himself in voluntarily. “I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody,” Trump told Fox News. “Someone very close to him turned him in.”

He added: “It was a minister… and his good friend is a top US marshal… and then it was a father got involved.”The suspect reportedly arrived at police headquarters voluntarily. “He’s there,” Trump confirmed, while cautioning, “this is subject to change.”Utah officials will hold a press conference at 9am ET to update the public on the ongoing manhunt for the suspect who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Governor Spencer Cox, FBI Director Kash Patel, and other top officials will be present.Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and close Trump ally, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old collapsed from a neck wound after a single shot was fired from a rooftop. Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz said Kirk had been answering a question on “transgender shooters, mass shooters,” when the shot rang out.On Thursday, authorities released new images showing a man fleeing the scene after firing a single, fatal shot at Kirk. The suspect was wearing dark clothing, Converse-style shoes, and a top featuring an American flag design.Authorities said that the shooter used a bolt-action rifle from 200 yards away before fleeing. The FBI released images of a young male suspect and offered a $100,000 reward. Footage released by the FBI showed the suspect fleeing across the roof and disappearing into nearby woods, where the rifle was later recovered.Vice President JD Vance transported Kirk’s body to Arizona aboard Air Force Two. Trump, calling the killing a “political assassination,” said he would attend the funeral and award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.“He was an advocate of nonviolence,” Trump told reporters.At a vigil, students expressed shock and grief. “It’s totally surreal,” said one attendee.The university remains closed, and the FBI continues to appeal for information, urging: “No tip is too small.”