A suspect within the killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk in Utah is in custody, FBI Director Kash Patel stated on Wednesday night.

Patel’s announcement got here hours after Kirk died after being shot whereas talking to a big crowd at Utah Valley College in Orem.

“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” Patel wrote in a tweet.

“‘Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able.”

The unknown gunman fired on the 31-year-old Kirk from a campus constructing 200 yards away simply after midday native time, hitting him as soon as within the neck, the college stated.

Kirk, who was married with two youngsters, was taken to a close-by hospital, the place he was in surgical procedure earlier than President Donald Trump introduced his dying.

“This is a political assassination.” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated at a press convention.

“We have a person of interest in custody,” Cox stated. “The investigation is ongoing, but I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”

“I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah,” the governor stated.

UVU cancelled courses and informed individuals who remained on campus to “secure in place until police officers can escort you safely off campus.”

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote in a Fact Social submit.

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote.

“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-mast by Sunday to mark Kirk’s dying.

Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Level USA and head of a number of associated political organizations. HIs motion, which was aimed toward younger conservatives, has raised tons of of thousands and thousands of {dollars}.

A staunch Trump supporter, Kirk was additionally a private good friend of prime officers in Trump’s administration.

He was at Utah Valley College on Wednesday for the primary cease on Turning Level’s “American Comeback Tour,” in line with the group’s web site.

The occasion featured Kirk seated at his “prove me wrong table,” a format through which he debated individuals who challenged his views.

UVU is Utah’s largest public college, with practically 47,000 enrolled college students as of fall 2023.

Shortly earlier than the taking pictures, Kirk tweeted in regards to the occasion.

“WE. ARE. SO. BACK,” Kirk wrote on X.

“Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”

Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman from Utah, informed Fox Information that he was on the occasion with household, and about 2,000 or so different individuals, most of them college students.

Kirk had been requested a query about “transgender shootings, mass shootings” proper earlier than being shot, Chaffetz stated.

“As soon as this shot rang out, everybody hit the deck, and then everybody started scattering and yelling and screaming, as you might imagine,” Chaffetz stated. “I can’t say I saw blood. I can’t say I saw him get shot, but as soon as that shot went out, he fell back into his left and everybody hit the deck.”

Kirk’s spouse, Erika Kirk, tweeted a biblical verse after the taking pictures.

“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” Erika Kirk wrote.

Elected officers and others from either side of the political aisle issued statements of assist for Kirk after he was shot and condolences after his dying was introduced.

“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence,” former President Joe Biden wrote in a tweet.

“It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote, “Rest in peace to my friend, Charlie Kirk. My heart is with his loved ones at this devastating time. This inexcusable violence belongs nowhere in a civilized society. Charlie was a brave man, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a great patriot. Please join me in praying for his family and our country.”

Jack Schlossberg, whose grandfather, President John Kennedy, was assassinated in November 1963, wrote on X, “Charlie Kirk was assassinated today. we are all weaker because of it. A tragedy. I am thinking of his family.”

Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R–La., wrote, “Utterly devastating. Charlie was a close friend and confidant. He will be sorely missed by so many.”

“Every political leader must loudly and clearly decry this violence. Our prayers go out to his wife and young children. May he rest in peace,” Johnson wrote.

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who was shot within the head by a gunman in Tuscon, Arizona, in 2011, stated, “The murder of Charlie Kirk breaks my heart. My deepest sympathies are with his wife, two young children, and friends.”

“Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence. Attacks against political or ideological opponents are cowardly and un-American, and must be universally condemned,” Giffords stated.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wrote, “It’s clear Charlie was assassinated for his political views. I only hope the terrorist who killed him will be caught and justice will be swift.”

“Charlie will be remembered for his kindness, his loyalty, and his devotion to America,” Lutnick wrote.

Former President Barack Obama tweeted, “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,”

“Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” Obama wrote.

Minutes after Kirk was shot, a number of individuals had been shot in a separate assault at Evergreen Excessive Faculty, situated west of Denver, Colorado.

Three juveniles had been in vital situation after the taking pictures, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Workplace stated. A kind of juveniles is the suspected shooter, in line with the workplace.

Kirk’s slaying comes practically three months after a gunman killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat who beforehand served as speaker, her husband Mark Hortman, and shot and wounded Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette Hoffman.

The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, faces pending state and federal prison expenses.

Kirk was an outspoken gun rights advocate, and his earlier statements about firearms took on a brand new forged within the wake of his assassination.

At an April 2023 Turning Level USA occasion at a church in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, Kirk answered a questioner who had requested how you can persuade gun-control proponents that it’s “important to have the right to defend ourselves and all that good stuff?”

“You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won’t have a single gun death,” Kirk replied, in line with an audio recording and transcript.

“That is nonsense. It’s drivel,” he stated. “But … I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”

— CNBC’s Erin Doherty contributed to this story.