OREM, Utah — The suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination has been captured, President Donald Trump said Friday, representing a significant breakthrough in the investigation into a targeted killing that raised fresh alarms about political violence in the United States.
“With a high degree of certainty, we have him,†Trump announced in a live interview on Fox News Channel. He said a minister also involved with law enforcement turned the suspect in to authorities.
“Somebody that was very close to him said, ‘Hmm, that’s him,’†Trump said.
This undated combination of images provided provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 in Orem, Utah.
The suspect in custody in connection with Kirk's killing is a 22-year-old from Utah, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. Authorities have identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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Calls to telephone numbers listed for Robinson in public records rang unanswered.
The FBI and the Justice Department did not immediately comment, but a news conference in Utah, where the killing took place on a college campus this week, was planned for later Friday. News of the arrest came hours after the FBI and state officials had pleaded for public help by releasing additional photographs of the suspect, a move that seemed to indicate that law enforcement was uncertain of the person's whereabouts.
Kirk was killed by a single shot in what police said was a targeted attack and Utah’s governor called a political assassination. Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona.
Authorities recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle near the scene of the shooting and had said the shooter jumped off a roof and vanished into the nearby woods afterward.
Kirk had been speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point at Utah Valley University at the time of Wednesday's shooting. He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead hours later.
“He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this,†Trump said Friday. “He was really a good person.â€
Federal investigators and state officials on Thursday had released photos and a video of the person they believe is responsible. Kirk was shot as he spoke to a crowd gathered in a courtyard at the university in Orem.
More than 7,000 leads and tips had poured in, officials said. Authorities have yet to cite a motive in the killing, the latest act of political violence to convulse the United States.
Photos before and after the shooting of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk hands out hats Wednesday before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Charlie Kirk speaks Wednesday before he was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.
The crowd reacts Wednesday after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at the Utah Valley University in Orem.
The crowd reacts Wednesday after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.
Law enforcement tapes off an area Wednesday after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at the Utah Valley University in Orem.
A SWAT team heads onto the Utah Valley University campus Wednesday in Orem after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit.
Armed officers walk around the neighborhood bordering the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, knocking on doors and asking for information, after Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday during Turning Point's visit to the college.
The national headquarters of Turning Point USA is seen Wednesday in Phoenix after the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old CEO and co-founder of the organization, during a Utah college event.
A well-wisher, front, receives a hug from a member of security Wednesday as he drops off flowers at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA  in Phoenix after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's CEO.
A well-wisher is overcome Wednesday after dropping off flowers at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's CEO.
A worker lowers the American flag to half-staff Wednesday on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting.
People take photos after the American flag was lowered to half-staff Wednesday on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to reporters Wednesday at the Capitol in Washington about the shooting of Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk.
Flowers are seen Wednesday outside the Keller Building on the Utah Valley University campus after news broke that Charlie Kirk died after he was shot earlier during Turning Point's visit to the university in Orem.
Police arrive at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix shown after the Wednesday shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's co-founder and CEO.
Allison Hemingway-Witty cries Wednesday after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.
Utah Highway Patrol vehicles park outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital on Wednesday in Orem, Utah.
Joseph Vogl stands outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital on Wednesday in Orem, Utah.
Cecilia Garcia and Dawn Thomas react Wednesday in Westminster, Calif., as they learn the news on social media of conservative activist Charlie Kirk being shot at a college event in Utah.
Police work Wednesday on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit.
Tucker and Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver; Michael Biesecker, Brian Slodysko, Lindsay Whitehurst and Michelle L. Price in Washington; Ty O'Neil in Orem, Utah; Hallie Golden in Seattle; and Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., contributed to this report.
