Man Charged After Falsely Claiming to Be Charlie Kirk's Shooter
In a bizarre turn of events following the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, a 71-year-old man has been charged with obstruction. This stems from his alleged false claim of being the gunman responsible for the incident.
The Initial Chaos and False Confession
George Zinn was taken into custody shortly after the September 10th shooting at Utah Valley University. He reportedly told an officer on the scene, “I shot him, now shoot me.” This statement caused immediate confusion and uncertainty in the initial moments after the shooting. Video footage captured officers escorting Zinn away, with his trousers reportedly slipping, while onlookers expressed their disbelief. The situation quickly spread on social media, leading to widespread speculation and misinformation about who was responsible for the attack on the right-wing activist, Charlie Kirk.
According to police documents obtained by Fox 13, Zinn repeatedly insisted he was the shooter. He later told officers his actions were motivated by a desire to “be a martyr” and to divert attention from the actual shooter. This false confession, law enforcement officials say, significantly hampered the initial investigation.
Obstruction Charges and the Real Suspect
Authorities allege that Zinn's false claims wasted valuable investigative resources. These resources were desperately needed to identify and apprehend the real suspect. Tyler Robinson was eventually taken into custody the following day.
Zinn has been booked into Utah County Jail on felony obstruction charges. As of now, police have not revealed whether Zinn knew Robinson or if he was involved in any larger conspiracy to harm Charlie Kirk.
Misinformation and Fallout
The situation surrounding the Charlie Kirk shooting has been further complicated by the spread of misinformation. Some of these claims were amplified by figures associated with Trumpworld. Kash Patel, a podcaster and former FBI chief, has faced criticism for his handling of the investigation.
Patel initially posted tweets blaming “radical left terrorists” before any concrete evidence was available. He later admitted he should have “worded [the post] differently.” Patel has been accused of promoting unverified claims and conspiracy theories, further muddying the waters. His position within the FBI is now reportedly in jeopardy.
Zinn's History and Reputation
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that George Zinn has a long history of attending and disrupting political and cultural events in Utah. He has been seen at both Republican gatherings and protests. Prosecutors say his criminal record goes back to the 1980s, primarily for trespass and disorderly conduct. He is described as a politically conservative, libertarian-leaning individual. District Attorney Sim Gill characterized him as more of an eccentric character than a serious threat.
In recent years, Zinn has been arrested for repeatedly returning to Q&A sessions at the Sundance Film Festival after being banned and for refusing to leave traffic in Ogden. His most serious charge was in 2013, when he was accused of making a bomb threat against the Salt Lake City Marathon. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and served probation.
The investigation into the Charlie Kirk shooting is ongoing. More details will emerge as authorities continue their work.
```