US President Donald Trump has said “with a high degree of certainty” that the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing has been caught.
“He’s in custody,” Mr Trump said.
Speaking on Fox News, Mr Trump also said “somebody that was very close to him turned him in.”
The president said the suspect was recognised by people close to him, and suggested the suspect’s father drove him to a police station and handed him over.
Mr Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday afternoon while speaking to university students at an event.
He died in hospital after being shot.
The suspect in the killing of the 31-year-old right-wing influencer is aged 28 or 29, according to Mr Trump.
“I hope he’s gonna be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did,” the president said in regard to the suspect.
The person of interest was previously described as being “of college age” by authorities.
Mr Trump also told the US outlet that it wasn’t known whether they were part of a bigger network.
Mr Kirk, a father-of-two, was the chief executive and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent organisation that engages conservative youth on school campuses.
He had millions of followers across social media.
Mr Kirk’s body was flown back from Salt Lake City to his home state of Arizona on Air Force Two on Thursday, with the US vice president and close friend JD Vance on board.
Mr Trump said he plans to attend Mr Kirk’s funeral, although no date has yet been set.
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