U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been apprehended following a massive manhunt.

Trump stated that the suspect was turned in by someone close to him and added that he hopes the killer of his close ally Kirk will receive the death penalty.

“With a high degree of confidence, I think we’ve got him,” Trump said in a surprise statement during a live interview with Fox News. “He is in custody.”

The President explained that the suspect was identified using photos released by U.S. authorities following Kirk’s murder. Kirk was shot once fatally during an appearance at the University of Utah.

“Someone very close to him turned him in,” Trump said. “Someone who is very close to him said: ‘This is him.’”

Trump added that he was informed only five minutes before going on air.

“It was a minister who reached out to a friend, a minister connected to law enforcement, and his good friend is a senior U.S. marshal,” Trump said. “Then the father intervened, specifically his father, and said: ‘We have to go in.’”

CNN reported separately that the suspect confessed to his father, who then detained him until authorities could make the arrest.

“They took him to the police station, and he is there now,” Trump added.

U.S. authorities were set to hold a press conference in Utah shortly after Trump’s interview.

Hundreds of agents from over 20 law enforcement agencies participated in the search for Kirk’s killer, 31, who had mobilized youth support for Trump.

Published photos showed a man wearing Converse sneakers, a black baseball cap, dark sunglasses, jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt with an American flag design.

According to police, the shooter is believed to have fired from a rooftop at a distance of up to 200 yards (180 meters), hitting Kirk in the neck.

Video footage shows a figure running across the university roof, then jumping to the ground and retreating toward trees — likely the location where a powerful bolt-action rifle was later found.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox said the state will push for the death penalty in the case, and Trump said he would support such a measure. “I hope he gets the death penalty,” he told Fox.

Kirk’s funeral was conducted using the official plane of Vice President J.D. Vance to his hometown of Phoenix. Footage showed Vance with his hands on the coffin while it was being loaded onto Air Force Two.

Students from the University of Utah Valley described their shock and broader fears as political divisions in the country deepen.

“Watching his murder made me feel awful,” said Dave Sanchez. “We watch him constantly, and it really feels like someone from your family, your brother, has been killed,” he added.

In Orem Park, hundreds of people wearing MAGA hats and carrying American flags gathered for a vigil Thursday night, where they prayed and observed a moment of silence.

“It’s still insane that this happened,” said Jonathan Silva, 35. “It’s completely surreal.”

Kirk, whom supporters call a “martyr,” co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to promote conservative views among young people, using his natural charisma as a speaker on television networks.

A father of two, he used his audience on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to advocate policies on anti-immigration, open Christianity, and gun ownership, as well as to share carefully edited clips from debates at his student events.

Right-wing media in the U.S. were in mourning and anger, with columnists reflecting on Kirk’s impact on their lives, but Trump urged his supporters to respond peacefully. | BGNES