George Zinn, the elderly man who falsely confessed to shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, reportedly shared a haunting admission to investigators.
Zinn, 71, known locally as a "gadfly" for his disruptive behavior at political events, was taken into custody on September 10 after claiming responsibility for the assassination at Utah Valley University last week.
According to court records reviewed by local station Fox 13, the older man approached police immediately after the shooting and shouted, "I shot him, now shoot me."
Police responded by taking him into custody, noting that he was unarmed.
In a police interview, Zinn reportedly admitted to investigators that he did not shoot Kirk and that his goal had been to “draw attention from the real [accused] shooter,” 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was still at large at the time.
Per the outlet, Zinn allegedly said he “wanted to be a martyr for the person who was shot,” further complicating the investigation.
His erratic behavior, which included being dragged away from the scene with his pants around his ankles, was captured in video footage that quickly spread online.
Per The New York Post, Zinn has been arrested multiple times for trespassing and causing disturbances.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill described him as “odd” and a consistent “gadfly” but not a dangerous figure. "Almost every political event you can think of, there was always George somewhere in the background, listening," Gill said.
The 71-year-old's actions delayed the investigation, consuming valuable law enforcement resources at a critical time in the case. He is now facing charges of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.
Kirk, 31, was shot during a live event for Turning Point USA at UVU while addressing a crowd of around 3,000 people.
He had been responding to a question about gun violence when the fatal shot rang out. Videos from the scene show Kirk collapsing in his chair as the crowd fled in panic.
Robinson was arrested the following day after reportedly being turned in by a close family member.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the suspect had sent a chilling text before the attack, stating that he had “the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do that.” When asked why, Robinson allegedly responded, “Some hatred cannot be negotiated with.”
Patel has also shared that Robinson has “essentially admitted” to the crime in interviews with investigators, and authorities are examining a potential network of individuals who may have aided him in the months leading up to the killing.
Investigators have seized multiple electronic devices from the accused shooter's home, including computers, cell phones, and gaming systems, which are now being reviewed for further evidence.
Prosecutors are expected to indict him on first-degree murder charges, with the death penalty a possibility given Utah’s legal provisions for capital punishment by firing squad.
Robinson is currently being held without bail and is set to appear in court on Tuesday.