❓WHAT HAPPENED: George Zinn, the 71-year-old who was the first suspect in Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination, has told police he falsely confessed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting to create a distraction for the real killer. He has also been charged with possessing child pornography.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: George Zinn, 71, who made the false confession, Tyler Robinson, 22, believed to be the real gunman, and Charlie Kirk.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Kirk’s assassination took place during an American Comeback Tour debate at Utah Valley University campus. Zinn’s affidavit was filed on Monday, and Robinson is set to appear in court on Tuesday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I shot him, now shoot me,” Zinn reportedly told police immediately after Kirk’s shooting, according to court documents.
🎯IMPACT: Zinn faces charges for obstruction of justice and sexual exploitation of a minor, while Robinson, the alleged assassin, faces various charges up to and including capital murder.
Police have revealed that George Zinn, the 71-year-old who falsely confessed to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University immediately after his shooting, has admitted he was attempting to create a distraction for the real gunman, believed to be Tyler Robinson, 22. Zinn has also been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, after investigators found child pornography on his phone.
According to court documents, Zinn approached officers after the shooting and yelled, “I shot him, now shoot me.” He was taken into custody, where he continued to insist he was the shooter. However, investigators determined his confession was fabricated, and Zinn later acknowledged he wanted to be a “martyr.”
Once at the police station, Zinn requested a lawyer and admitted he expected to face consequences for his false statements. “I am already going to be in trouble for saying I shot him. Even if I did not,” he reportedly told officers.
Zinn has a history of disrupting political events and prior criminal charges. Past offenses include a 2013 bomb threat at the Salt Lake City marathon.
In addition to obstruction charges, the would-be “martyr” also faces child pornography charges, related to images of underage girls that investigators found on his phone. He reportedly confessed to being “sexually aroused” by children.
Robinson, alleged to be the real assassin, is set to make his first court appearance on Tuesday. He faces various charges up to and including capital murder, which carries the death penalty, potentially by firing squad.
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