President Donald Trump said on Friday that a person is in custody in connection with the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump made the announcement during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody,” Trump said.
He later added, “Subject to change but the facts are the facts we have the person that we think is the person we’re looking for.”
According to Trump, he was informed just five minutes before going on air for the prescheduled interview that a suspect had been detained.
“Essentially, somebody that was very close to him turned him in,” Trump said.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet confirmed the arrest or released additional details.
At a news conference Thursday evening, state and federal officials released video footage showing the suspect climbing down from a rooftop at Utah Valley University, where investigators believe the fatal shot was fired. Authorities said the gunman fled the scene immediately afterward.
The FBI has announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
On Thursday, Utah authorities also distributed photos of a person of interest in the case. The images showed the individual carrying a black backpack and wearing a shirt resembling an American flag print.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said investigators have received more than 7,000 tips and completed about 200 interviews. He emphasized that law enforcement is working “around the clock” to locate the individual, who is believed to be college-aged.
The FBI confirmed Thursday that what is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting had been recovered. Salt Lake City FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said the firearm, a “high-powered bolt action rifle,” was found in a wooded area near the scene.
Law enforcement sources identified the weapon as an imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle wrapped in a towel. Investigators believe the firearm was left along the suspect’s escape route.
Authorities said the spent cartridge remained chambered, and three unspent cartridges were inscribed with markings that some officials described as “transgender and anti-fascist” writings.
Investigators have not yet determined the significance of the markings, or whether they were intended as a diversion.
According to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, the suspect arrived on the Orem campus at 11:52am Wednesday and climbed through stairwells to a rooftop overlooking the outdoor event.
At approximately 12:20pm, the shooter fired a single round at Kirk, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
After the shooting, the suspect fled by jumping from the opposite side of the building into a nearby neighborhood. Mason said investigators are canvassing the area, reviewing doorbell camera footage, and interviewing witnesses in an effort to track down the suspect.
“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you. We will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox said during a Wednesday briefing, calling the attack a “political assassination.”
Cox added that the state will pursue the death penalty if the case goes to trial.
