Manhunt Intensifies: Trump Claims Charlie Kirk’s Killer in Custody Amid Ongoing Investigation

OREM, Utah — President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the nation Friday morning, announcing that authorities have captured the suspected assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, just two days after the high-profile killing shook political circles. Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent Trump ally, was fatally shot Wednesday during a campus event at Utah Valley University (UVU), in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox has called a “political assassination.”

Trump’s claim, made during a Fox News interview on “Fox & Friends,” clashes with official statements from law enforcement, which as of midday Friday described the suspect as still at large. The discrepancy has fueled speculation and heightened tensions in an already volatile investigation, as the FBI and local authorities race to uncover the motives behind the brazen attack.

The Assassination: A Single Shot on a Sunny Afternoon

Charlie Kirk’s death occurred around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, during the kickoff of his “American Comeback Tour,” a Turning Point USA initiative to mobilize conservative youth on college campuses. The outdoor event at UVU in Orem, Utah, drew about 3,000 attendees, including students and community members, on a clear, sunny day. Kirk, known for his fiery rhetoric on gun rights, immigration, and criticism of progressive policies, was about 20 minutes into his speech when chaos erupted.

Witnesses described hearing a single gunshot. Kirk, struck in the neck by what investigators believe was a high-powered bolt-action rifle round fired from roughly 200 yards away, collapsed onstage. The shot came from the rooftop of a nearby building, according to drone footage and forensic analysis. Despite immediate medical attention, Kirk was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.

Video footage captured the pandemonium: attendees fleeing in panic, Secret Service agents shielding the stage, and Kirk’s security detail rushing to his aid. One attendee was seen weeping openly, her cries echoing the stunned silence that followed the shot. The event, focused on combating “woke” ideologies in education, had been polarizing, sponsored by UVU’s Turning Point USA chapter. Protests were anticipated but had not turned violent prior to the shooting.

The Manhunt: Photos, Videos, and a $150,000 Reward

The investigation, led by the FBI with support from the Utah Department of Public Safety and local police, has moved swiftly. By Thursday, authorities released surveillance video showing a person of interest—a man wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a long-sleeved shirt—leaping from the rooftop firing position and fleeing into nearby woods. Photos showed the suspect discarding items, including a backpack, as he escaped.

Forensic teams recovered a high-caliber bolt-action rifle in a wooded area near the campus, along with footwear impressions and forearm prints matching the person of interest. The FBI has appealed for public tips, offering a reward that grew from $100,000 to $150,000 with private donations from conservative figures. Over 7,000 tips have poured in, but as of Friday morning, officials stressed the manhunt remains active.

Early confusion clouded the probe. On Wednesday evening, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that the “subject” was in custody, only for the agency to retract the statement as premature. Two individuals were briefly detained—one for obstructing the crime scene—but released after questioning showed no connection to the shooting.

UVU suspended classes and activities across all campuses until September 15, and a makeshift memorial has formed near the university sign, adorned with flowers and messages honoring Kirk’s legacy.

Trump’s Bombshell Claim: “We Have Him in Custody”

President Trump’s interview injected fresh urgency—and controversy—into the case. “With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody,” Trump stated, praising federal and local law enforcement. He said the capture followed a tip from “someone very close to him,” predicting an official announcement later Friday.

Trump, who spoke with Kirk’s widow Erika on Thursday, called the activist “great and even legendary,” vowing justice. He ordered U.S. flags at half-staff nationwide until sunset on September 14, a gesture echoed by the White House. Kirk’s body was transported to Arizona aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.

However, the FBI and Utah officials have not confirmed Trump’s remarks. A law enforcement source indicated a man was taken into custody late Thursday by state and local police, but federal authorities are withholding the name pending search warrants and further leads. Trump cautioned that the information was “preliminary,” urging patience as the investigation unfolds.

The president’s comments come amid criticism of the FBI’s handling under Patel’s leadership, with some conservative voices accusing the agency of delays. Social media has amplified rumors, including baseless accusations against individuals like a local TikToker. Authorities have warned against disinformation, which Governor Cox called rampant online.

A Rising Tide of Political Violence

Kirk’s assassination fits a disturbing pattern of political violence in the U.S., following incidents like the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, two 2024 assassination attempts on Trump, the June 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators, and a May 2025 attack on Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. Earlier events include the 2022 hammer attack on Paul Pelosi and the 2021 Capitol riot.

Trump blamed the “radical left” for inciting the violence, calling the perpetrator an “animal” and linking it to anti-conservative rhetoric. Conservative commentators declared Kirk a “casualty of war,” while progressive voices condemned the killing as “terrifying” but feared retaliatory vengeance.

Governor Cox vowed to pursue the death penalty, stating, “We will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoed this call. Kirk’s family, including his wife Erika and young children, received tributes from figures like Donald Trump Jr., who called him “a brother.” First Lady Melania Trump mourned the loss, noting the tragedy for Kirk’s children: “stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter.”

Experts marveled at the shooter’s precision, describing it as the work of a “skilled” marksman, possibly with professional training. No motive has been confirmed, though speculation ranges from political extremism to personal grudges. Kirk’s controversial stances—criticizing Black Lives Matter, the Civil Rights Movement, and Democratic policies—had made him a lightning rod.

Legacy of a Conservative Firebrand

Charlie Kirk rose to prominence as a teenage conservative organizer, founding Turning Point USA in 2012 to counter liberal influences on campuses. At 31, he was a podcaster, author, and key player in Trump’s 2024 campaign, often appearing at rallies and on Fox News. His final rally before UVU was in Kentucky alongside a Senate candidate.

Tributes poured in from the right: House Speaker Mike Johnson called the shooting “detestable,” while celebrities mourned Kirk as “truly missed.” Comedy Central even pulled a South Park episode parodying him out of respect.

As the investigation presses on, Trump’s assertion raises more questions than answers. A press briefing is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET, where officials may clarify the custody status. For now, the nation holds its breath, grappling with the fragility of political discourse in an era of escalating threats.