A man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of prominent right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, as confirmed by President Donald Trump. Kirk, 31, a father of two and co-founder of the youth organisation Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a debate at Utah Valley University on September 10. Authorities have described the incident as a political assassination.

President Trump stated that officials have a "high degree of certainty" regarding the identity of the arrested individual, although he did not disclose the suspect's name. He mentioned that "someone very close" to the suspect had turned him in. Trump elaborated on the arrest, revealing that a minister involved with the authorities contacted a US Marshal. He expressed his sorrow over Kirk's death, referring to him as "like a son" and expressed hope that the shooter would face the death penalty.

The shooting occurred while Kirk was addressing the audience, taking questions about gun violence when he was struck in the neck by a single bullet. The incident caused panic among the 3,000 attendees, who were heard gasping and screaming as they fled for safety.

In the aftermath, police initially arrested two individuals, but both were released without charge after being found to have no connection to the shooting. The FBI has released videos of a suspect who appeared to be on the roof of the Losee Center Building, approximately 180 metres from where Kirk was speaking. Authorities described the suspect as appearing "to be of college age" and noted that he blended in with the crowd.

A significant manhunt was launched, with a $100,000 bounty offered for information leading to the shooter. Days following the incident, authorities struggled to identify a suspect or establish a motive. Utah's public safety commissioner indicated that the gunman was likely a college student who had mingled with others at the event.

The FBI released CCTV images of a "person of interest" in connection with Kirk's killing. The individual was seen wearing a black long-sleeved T-shirt with an American flag, blue trousers, Converse-style shoes, a cap, and sunglasses. Another image depicted the suspect carrying a large backpack.

Authorities also discovered a high-calibre rifle believed to have been used in the shooting in a wooded area on the university campus. The weapon bore engravings that may provide insight into the killer's motives. In a video recorded shortly after Kirk's death, Trump referred to him as a "martyr for truth and freedom" and attributed the killing to the rhetoric of the "radical left."

As investigations continue, the community remains in shock over the tragic event.