WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he believes "with a high degree of certainty" that authorities have apprehended the suspect behind the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.

"I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody," Trump said during an interview with broadcaster Fox News. "Everyone did a great job. We worked with the local police, the governor. Everybody did a great job."

Trump said the arrest took place after a minister who was friends with a US marshal got involved in the case, and appealed to the father of the suspect to convince his son to turn himself in.

The president supported the possibility of the suspect facing the death penalty.
"I hope he's going to be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty," said Trump.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot Wednesday while addressing a group of students at Utah Valley University in the city of Orem, some 40 miles (64.4 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.

The apparent targeted attack occurred despite security, including six university police officers and Kirk's private team.

Online videos captured the moment a bullet struck Kirk as he spoke, sending students fleeing in panic. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead hours later.

Law enforcement is expected to brief reporters in Utah later Friday morning.