Authorities have reported that George Zinn was first taken into custody before being hospitalized due to a medical condition.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has stated that an individual, George Zinn, who was at the scene of Charlie Kirk’s killing, has confessed to falsely identifying himself as the assailant. This admission was made to impede police efforts and facilitate the true shooter’s getaway. Zinn is currently confronting charges of obstruction of justice.
On September 10, the well-known US conservative activist was fatally shot during an address to students at Utah Valley University.
Tyler Robinson, the suspected murderer, was arrested on Friday, reportedly after his father identified him in surveillance video and convinced him to turn himself in.
According to a statement issued by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Zinn started “shouting that he had shot Charlie Kirk” shortly following the incident. Law enforcement officers took the man into custody, and he subsequently required hospitalization for a “medical issue.” The sheriff’s office reported that while hospitalized, Zinn informed staff he had falsely taken credit for the killing to “obstruct Law Enforcement’s response.”
It is reported that the man later confirmed to police his intention was to “enable the actual suspect to escape.”
The statement underscored, “Currently, there is no evidence suggesting George Zinn collaborated with the shooter.”
Robinson was charged with aggravated murder on Tuesday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced that the state intends to pursue the death penalty for the 22-year-old.
Concurrently, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray informed reporters that, based on information from the suspect’s mother, Robinson had grown increasingly political in the last year, adopting more progressive stances, especially regarding gay and transgender rights. Gray further mentioned that Robinson has been involved in a romantic relationship with his roommate, who is transitioning gender.
Kirk, aged 31, gained national recognition as a co-founder of the conservative advocacy organization, Turning Point USA, and was a strong proponent of President Donald Trump.