A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to President Donald Trump. The president stated that he has a “high degree of certainty” that the unidentified person is the shooter. Trump revealed that he had been informed of the suspect’s arrest just minutes before going on air, adding that the suspect was turned in by someone close to them.

The FBI had released images of the alleged suspect, a man wearing sunglasses, a black hat, and a long-sleeve black shirt featuring an American flag, and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to their identification and arrest. Authorities have received over 7,000 tips and leads and held around 200 interviews linked to the case. Investigators also recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” along the route allegedly used by the suspect to escape the crime scene.

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while addressing thousands of students during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. He was struck by a single rifle round and later died at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. Officials have described the killing as a targeted political assassination.

The suspect, reportedly a 22-year-old Utah resident, was turned in to the police by a family member who saw their photos released by the authorities. Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced that the state would seek the death penalty for Kirk’s assassin. President Trump has vowed to pursue not only Kirk’s killer but also the “radical left” networks that fuel political violence, and hopes that the murderer will be subject to capital punishment.

The investigation into Kirk’s murder is ongoing, with the FBI and local authorities working to gather more information and build a case against the suspect. The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for action against political violence. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.