Charlie Kirk shooting: Suspect in custody, to be charged

Utah: According to authorities in Utah, someone close to the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk turned him in, and he is currently in police custody. President Trump said he hopes the suspect receives the death penalty.

Tyler R., the suspect of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, is a 22-year-old Utah native who lived in his family's home at the time of the arrest, Utah Governor Spencer Cox told reporters.

He is suspected of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice. Formal charges are expected early next week.

According to Cox, a family member had told the authorities that R. had mentioned Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University at a recent dinner, with the conversation being about disliking the prominent activist's views.

It was during that visit that Kirk was shot.

R. does not appear to have a criminal record and does not have an affiliation with a political party, state voter records suggest.

According to the records, he was an "inactive" voter, meaning he had not cast a ballot in recent elections nor replied to a mailing from the county clerk's office.

He attended Utah State University in Logan for one semester, Reuters reports, but dropped out for unknown reasons. 

The authorities have so far not named any motive for the shooting.

In her first public statement since the death of her husband, Erika Kirk thanked first responders who tried to save Charlie Kirk after he was shot on Wednesday.

She also thanked President Trump, Vice President Vance and the team of Turning Point USA, the political organization Charlie Kirk founded.

"Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well, as did he for you," she said.

Erika Kirk emphasised her husband's belief in his Christian faith and love for his family.

She also pledged to carry on his work and called on young people to join the conservative organisation he started and for a resurgence in the Christian faith. 

"The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry," she said. "The movement my husband built will not die."