The suspect in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this week has been caught, according to President Donald Trump.
During a Fox News appearance on Friday, Trump said, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him.” The suspect was not immediately named by officials. Trump, however, said that someone who was “very close” to the suspect had identified him, which led to police being informed.
“Everyone did a great job,” Trump said Friday morning. “We worked with the local police, the governor. Everybody did a great job. … I think we’re in great shape. He’s in custody.”
Trump also suggested it was the suspect's father who ultimately encouraged him to go to the authorities, with an unnamed minister and a U.S. Marshal also said to have been involved with identifying him.
“The father convinced the son, this is it,” Trump said.
Shortly after Trump's remarks, the Associated Press reported the suspect’s name as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, from Utah, citing a law enforcement official. NBC News also cited law enforcement officials when identifying Robinson as the suspect.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during a Turning Point USA event in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10. Previously, federal authorities had released photos of a person of interest. Thursday, the FBI said it was offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect, or suspects, in the Kirk killing.
“This morning, I can tell you that we have recovered what we believe is the weapon used in yesterday's shooting: a high-powered bolt action rifle,” Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the agency’s Salt Lake City field office, said in a recent press conference. “That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. The FBI Laboratory will be analyzing the weapon. Investigators have also collected footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis.”
Officials were expected to share more details on the investigation later on Friday.