News Wrap: Utah Gov. Cox shares more details about suspected Kirk shooter

Lisa Desjardins:

Good evening. I'm Lisa Desjardins. John Yang is away. New details tonight on the suspected shooter in the Charlie Kirk assassination, which Utah's governor says may provide clues about the motive. The state of Utah, where the murder occurred, expects charges will be filed this week.

Today, Governor Spencer Cox confirmed several new details about the investigation. He said the suspect was in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who is transgender. Cox also said the alleged gunman recently spoke with others about his dislike of Charlie Kirk.

And after the shooting, friends of the suspect initially joked with him that he looked like the shooter police were searching for, but did not think it was really him.

Governor Cox said an important next step will be to figure out exactly why the suspect chose violence and if social media played a role in radicalizing him.

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) Utah: I can't emphasize enough the damage that social media and the internet is doing to all of us. Those dopamine hits, these companies, trillion dollar market caps, the most powerful companies in history of the world, have figured out how to hack our brains, get us addicted to outrage.

Lisa Desjardins:

The governor said the suspect's family and transgender roommate have been helpful to law enforcement. Meanwhile, supporters of Charlie Kirk are coming together to mourn the loss of the young, influential activists.

Supporters set up a memorial for him outside the headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona. A prayer vigil is also set for later this evening at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Now to Africa and southern Congo, where a few hundred doses of vaccine have finally reached an area dealing with an Ebola outbreak. Some 400 doses arrived via U.N. helicopter. Tens of thousands more still have not made it. The effort has been slowed down from lack of funds and trouble accessing the area. In the past, USAID provided support with outbreaks in Congo. The agency was dismantled earlier this year by President Trump.

In the Middle East, Qatar's prime minister strongly denounced Israel, saying its strike on militant Hamas leaders staying in the country threatens efforts to normalize ties. This comes as Qatar hosted a meeting of Arab and Muslim leaders to consider a response. Qatar says it will still work toward a ceasefire in Gaza.

And in Gaza, the Israeli military struck multiple high rise buildings in Gaza City today, killing at least 13 Palestinians. The blast sent people scrambling in a city where there are a shrinking number of places to shelter. The IDF has urged Palestinians to evacuate south, but residents say there is no easy path to safety.