Kirk, the well-known conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The attack came moments after Kirk had responded to a question about mass shootings in the U.S.
Because Kirk’s events often drew large crowds and went viral online, several attendees were already filming when the gunfire erupted. Videos quickly spread across social media, triggering shock, outrage, and bipartisan condemnation.
The FBI launched a concentrated manhunt and later released footage showing a suspect climbing down from a rooftop near the university before fleeing across a parking area.
Authorities also recovered a rifle and ammunition wrapped in a blanket in nearby woods
. By Friday, Trump announced live on Fox News that a suspect had been taken into custody.
During the interview, Trump reflected on how the tragedy affected his own family—especially Barron.