OREM, Utah (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday “with a high degree of certainty” that the suspect in the Charlie Kirk killing has been caught.
The suspect in custody in connection with the assassination of Kirk is a 22-year-old from Utah. That's according to a law enforcement official who told The Associated Press. The officials say authorities have identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson. The official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity.
President Donald Trump said Friday on Fox News Channel a minister turned the suspect in to authorities. Calls to telephone numbers listed for Robinson in public records ring unanswered.
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 Utah Valley University in Orem.
More than 7,000 leads and tips had poured in, officials said. Authorities have yet to publicly name the suspect or cite a motive in the killing, the latest act of political violence to convulse the United States.
A Mauser .30-caliber, bolt-action rifle was found in a towel in the woods. A spent cartridge was recovered from the chamber, and three other rounds were loaded in the magazine, according to information circulated among law enforcement and described to The Associated Press. The weapon and ammunition were being analyzed by law enforcement at a federal lab.
The assassination offers the latest example of how ordinary security measures can be defeated in an era of escalating political violence, when anyone associated with the political process is a potential target. Security experts interviewed by AP questioned whether the event was sufficiently staffed but also acknowledged the limitations of both campus police forces and outdoor venues.
The Latest:
Suspect in custody in connection with Charlie Kirk shooting is 22-year-old from Utah, AP source says
The suspect in custody in connection with the assassination of Charlie Kirk 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 spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
— Alanna Durkin Richer
Trump says political events must continue despite safety concerns
“You have to go forward,” the president said when asked about appearances getting cancelled after Kirk’s assassination.
A news conference with investigators is scheduled at the top of the hour
State and federal officials in Utah are planning to hold a news conference at 9 a.m. ET on the investigation.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls are expected to attend.
Trump: ‘With a high degree of certainty, we have him’
President Donald Trump said Friday that the suspect in the Charlie Kirk killing has been captured.
“With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump announced in a live interview on Fox News Chanel on Friday morning.
Trump said a minister who is also involved with law enforcement turned in the suspect to authorities.
“Somebody that was very close to him said, ‘Hmm, that’s him,’” Trump said.
