Trump announces arrest in Charlie Kirk murder case

Following the murder of right-wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk in the US , President Donald Trump announced the arrest of a suspect. "I think we have him," Trump said. The suspected shooter has been taken into custody. "Someone very close to him has betrayed him," the head of state added.

The FBI had previously released a video clip and additional photos of the man. Thousands of tips from the public were received, as announced by Utah's Republican governor, Spencer Cox, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel. A reward of $100,000 (approximately €85,000) was offered for information leading to the perpetrator's arrest.

Attack with precision weapon

Kirk was shot dead Wednesday during a performance in front of approximately 3,000 people at Utah Valley University, a bullet fatally striking him in the neck. The suspected murder weapon was found in a wooded area near the crime scene. FBI agent Robert Bohls reported it was a "high-powered bolt-action rifle." Such weapons are used for hunting big game or as precision weapons by military snipers. They allow for hitting targets from long distances.

The 31-year-old co-founded the organization "Turning Point USA" and was considered Donald Trump's voice for young people. Millions followed Kirk's social media channels and podcasts.

Trump called him a "martyr for truth and freedom" and blamed the "radical left" for his death. Kirk was a champion of nonviolence. "I want people to respond that way (nonviolently)," Trump said, but he also called the gunman an "animal."

Vance accompanies Kirk's coffin

Accompanied by US Vice President J.D. Vance , his wife Usha, and Kirk's wife Erika, the coffin containing Kirk's body was transported aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Phoenix, Arizona, where Turning Point USA is also headquartered.

Meanwhile, the US State Department threatened foreigners with consequences if they justified violence online. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated: "In light of the horrific murder of a leading political figure, I want to emphasize that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors in our country." At the same time, he called on people to report such comments from foreigners to him in his X-post so that the State Department can "protect the American people."

wa/haz/pgr (afp, dpa, rtr)