Man who falsely claimed to be Charlie Kirk shooter charged with obstruction of justice and child exploitation

George Zinn, who was present at Utah Valley University when Charlie Kirk was murdered, was charged with obstruction of justice and sexual exploitation of minors. By his own admission to authorities, he falsely claimed to have been the shooter to delay the search for the real one.

Zinn, a well-known local activist in Utah, especially in Salt Lake City, was one of the protagonists of the day that ended with the murder of the founder of Turning Point USA. 

As recounted by agent Michael Dutson, immediately after Kirk was shot once in the neck, Zinn approached him and claimed to have been the perpetrator. "I shot him; now shoot me," he told him.

Thereupon, Dutson handcuffed him and asked him where the murder weapon was, but Zinn refused to share the information. The 71-year-old changed his tune once arrested, confessing that he had made a diversion to facilitate the escape of the real shooter.

The local politician requested a lawyer and was transported to a hospital for medical attention. "While there, he allowed officers to look at his phone. When he gave them the phone, he said the officers may find sexual images of children. He was additionally charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony charge," they reported from The New York Times.

According to local authorities, the investigation was partially delayed due to Zinn's stunt, since resources were allocated that could have been used in pursuing someone else.

However, 33 hours after Kirk was shot, authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 22. He is currently the main defendant accused of murdering the activist and popular podcaster. 

The viral text exchange between Robinson and his transgender partner:

Robinson's roommate and partner, Lance Twiggs, a biological man who identified as transgender, is cooperating with authorities. Among the evidence he provided is an exchange of messages with the main defendant accused of murdering Kirk.

As he recounted, Twiggs received a text message from Robinson asking him to check under his keyboard. There he found a note that read as follows: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it." Authorities found a photo of that note as part of the investigation.

"What, you're kidding, right?" Twiggs initially responded. From there, the conversation between the two went as follows: