By Muhammad Mamman
Former US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody over the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, following a three-day manhunt that gripped the nation.
“Somebody very close to him turned him in,” Trump told Fox News in a live studio interview. “The person was involved with law enforcement but was also a minister. They brought him directly to a US Marshal, and now he is in custody. We believe we have the right man.”
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck by a single round during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Police believe the gunman fired from a rooftop nearly 200 yards away, using a high-powered bolt-action rifle later recovered nearby.
Hundreds of officers from 20 agencies took part in the hunt. Surveillance footage showed a man in jeans, a black cap, sunglasses, and Converse trainers fleeing the campus immediately after the shooting.
The attack has shaken the conservative movement. Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, was hailed by supporters as a “martyr” for his outspoken advocacy on Christianity, gun rights, and immigration. With a large following on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, he became a prominent voice for conservative youth and a frequent guest on US television.
The political shockwaves were underscored by Vice President JD Vance personally escorting Kirk’s coffin on Air Force Two to his home city of Phoenix. Footage showed Vance resting his hands on the casket during its transfer.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed to seek the death penalty if the suspect is convicted.
At Utah Valley University and beyond, students and supporters expressed their grief and fear over the growing political divisions in the United States. A vigil in Orem Park drew hundreds wearing red “MAGA” caps and carrying American flags, holding prayers and a moment of silence.
“It still feels surreal that this happened,” said Jonathan Silva, 35. Another witness, Dave Sanchez, told AFP: “It made me sick to my stomach. It feels like losing a family member.”
Right-wing media outlets have been awash with tributes, while Trump has urged supporters to channel their grief peacefully.
