US President Donald Trump announced that the suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been taken into custody after being turned over to authorities by a close associate. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said: “We can say with a high degree of confidence that we have him,” and revealed that the suspect’s father played a significant role in convincing his son to turn himself in to police. Authorities are expected to make an official statement later today.

The president said the suspect, who is believed to be around 28 or 29 years old, was betrayed by someone close to him. “Someone very close to him betrayed him,” Trump said, adding that he hoped the man would be found guilty and face the death penalty. He noted that investigators still do not know whether the suspect acted alone or whether he may have been connected to a larger criminal or terrorist network.

The news came after the FBI and Utah State Police released new footage showing the alleged shooter fleeing the scene. Authorities also released images of a “person of interest” wearing a black American flag T-shirt and Converse sneakers. Witnesses at the scene of the shooting are still in shock. One student told reporters, “I’m just reliving the moment over and over again.”

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New footage from the @FBI press conference shows the suspect leaping off the roof after taking out Charlie Kirk.#CharlieKirkdead #FBI #KashPatel #DanBongino #US pic.twitter.com/bKk0SYxAKt

— New World (@22BMCG) September 12, 2025

Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while debating with students on Wednesday afternoon and later died in hospital. At 31, he had a huge social media following and was widely recognized as one of the most influential conservative voices of his generation.

On Thursday, his casket was flown from Salt Lake City to Arizona on Air Force Two. Vice President J.D. Vance, a close friend of Kirk, traveled with the body while Vance's wife, Usha, comforted Kirk's widow, Erica, on the steps of the plane. Trump confirmed that he intends to attend the funeral, although the date has not yet been set.