Charlie Kirk murder suspect in custody named as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson

A suspect in custody in connection with the death of Charlie Kirk is a 22-year-old from Utah named Tyler Robinson, sources have claimed.

A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that authorities have identified the suspect, following US President Donald Trump's announcement that a suspect had been taken into custody on Friday (12 September).

On Wednesday (10 September), Kirk, 31, was hit by a single shot to the neck during a Utah Valley University (UVU) event.

Kirk, a right-wing influencer, was taken to hospital by his security team, where he was declared dead.

While speaking to Fox News on Friday, Trump said, 'with a high degree of certainty,' that the suspect they have been looking for is currently in custody.

"I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody," he said. "He's in custody. We worked with the local police, the governor - everybody did a great job."

Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Trump continued: "You know, getting somebody that you start off with absolutely nothing - and we started off with a clip that made him look like an ant - that was almost useless.

"We just saw somebody up there. And so much work has been done over the last two and a half days.

"You know, it's amazing really, when you start off with that and then all of a sudden you get lucky, or talent, or whatever it is."

Trump added that a person 'close' to the shooter 'turned him in' to the police.

The president also said that he hoped the suspect - if found guilty of the crime - receives the death penalty.

Trump explained they have a suspect in custody (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

"I hope he's gonna be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did," Trump said.

Despite Trump claiming that he believed the suspect was '28 or 29' years old, reports have indicated that the suspect could be younger, with sources claiming Robinson is aged 22.

Over the last 48 hours, the FBI launched a huge manhunt for the person they believe to be responsible for Kirk's death.

They released footage and photographs of the 'person of interest' as well as a video that showed the shooter climbing off the roof of a nearby building and fleeing off campus, into a neighbourhood.

The weapon they believe was used in the shooting was found in a wooded area, not far from the scene of the shooting.