A 71-year-old man who falsely confessed to shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah has told investigators he only did so to divert attention from the real killer, The New York Post reported citing the court records.
George Zinn , a self-described political agitator , was taken into custody after approaching police at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, moments after Kirk was gunned down.
Media reports suggested that Zinn shouted, ‘I shot him, now shoot me,’ before being escorted away in handcuffs by officers. He was unarmed at the time.
During questioning, Zinn admitted he had not killed Kirk but claimed he wanted to “draw attention from the real shooter,” documents cited by Fox 13 revealed. He later told police at a hospital that he wanted to “be a martyr for the person who was shot.”
Police said Zinn’s actions caused confusion and delayed the investigation at a critical stage, unnecessarily diverting law enforcement resources. He has since been charged with obstruction of justice , a second-degree felony.
In the chaotic aftermath, video circulated online showing Zinn being dragged away by officers as bystanders shouted at him, believing he was the assassin.
His image spread widely across social media before authorities clarified he was not the shooter.
Zinn is known locally as a political “gadfly,” frequently appearing at rallies, protests and festivals where he has often been removed for disruptive behavior. Prosecutors said he has a long history of odd conduct, including a 2013 conviction for threatening to bomb the Salt Lake City Marathon, for which he served a year in jail.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill who have prosecuted him several times said, "He’s a person who can be odd, and has those kinds of sometimes odd behavior challenges."
“But by and large, he’s more of a gadfly than anything else,” Gill added.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence linking Zinn to Tyler Robinson , the 22-year-old man arrested last week after his father turned him in as the alleged gunman. Investigators are now probing whether Robinson had an “extended network” that may have supported or assisted him.
George Zinn , a self-described political agitator , was taken into custody after approaching police at Utah Valley University last Wednesday, moments after Kirk was gunned down.
Media reports suggested that Zinn shouted, ‘I shot him, now shoot me,’ before being escorted away in handcuffs by officers. He was unarmed at the time.
During questioning, Zinn admitted he had not killed Kirk but claimed he wanted to “draw attention from the real shooter,” documents cited by Fox 13 revealed. He later told police at a hospital that he wanted to “be a martyr for the person who was shot.”
Police said Zinn’s actions caused confusion and delayed the investigation at a critical stage, unnecessarily diverting law enforcement resources. He has since been charged with obstruction of justice , a second-degree felony.
In the chaotic aftermath, video circulated online showing Zinn being dragged away by officers as bystanders shouted at him, believing he was the assassin.
🚨 SHOOTER BEGS “SHOOT ME” 🚨
— Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) September 10, 2025
The man arrested for shooting Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University was carried away pleading with officers to “shoot me.”
Online users have identified him as George Zinn — previously arrested in 2013 after offering to help place bombs near the… pic.twitter.com/kMETzymREK
His image spread widely across social media before authorities clarified he was not the shooter.
Zinn is known locally as a political “gadfly,” frequently appearing at rallies, protests and festivals where he has often been removed for disruptive behavior. Prosecutors said he has a long history of odd conduct, including a 2013 conviction for threatening to bomb the Salt Lake City Marathon, for which he served a year in jail.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill who have prosecuted him several times said, "He’s a person who can be odd, and has those kinds of sometimes odd behavior challenges."
“But by and large, he’s more of a gadfly than anything else,” Gill added.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence linking Zinn to Tyler Robinson , the 22-year-old man arrested last week after his father turned him in as the alleged gunman. Investigators are now probing whether Robinson had an “extended network” that may have supported or assisted him.
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