A 71-year-old man who falsely confessed to taking pictures conservative activist Charlie Kirk at an occasion in Utah has advised investigators he solely did so to divert consideration from the true killer, The New York Put up reported citing the court docket information.George Zinn, a self-described political agitator, was taken into custody after approaching police at Utah Valley College final Wednesday, moments after Kirk was gunned down. Media stories urged that Zinn shouted, ‘I shot him, now shoot me,’ earlier than being escorted away in handcuffs by officers. He was unarmed on the time.Throughout questioning, Zinn admitted he had not killed Kirk however claimed he wished to “draw consideration from the true shooter,” paperwork cited by Fox 13 revealed. He later advised police at a hospital that he wished to “be a martyr for the one that was shot.”Police mentioned Zinn’s actions brought about confusion and delayed the investigation at a vital stage, unnecessarily diverting legislation enforcement assets. He has since been charged with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.Within the chaotic aftermath, video circulated on-line exhibiting Zinn being dragged away by officers as bystanders shouted at him, believing he was the murderer.His picture unfold broadly throughout social media earlier than authorities clarified he was not the shooter.Zinn is thought regionally as a political “gadfly,” ceaselessly showing at rallies, protests and festivals the place he has usually been eliminated for disruptive conduct. Prosecutors mentioned he has a protracted historical past of strange conduct, together with a 2013 conviction for threatening to bomb the Salt Lake Metropolis Marathon, for which he served a yr in jail.Salt Lake County District Legal professional Sim Gill who’ve prosecuted him a number of instances mentioned, “He’s an individual who could be odd, and has these sorts of typically odd conduct challenges.” “However by and huge, he’s extra of a gadfly than the rest,” Gill added. Authorities have confirmed there is no such thing as a proof linking Zinn to Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man arrested final week after his father turned him in because the alleged gunman. Investigators at the moment are probing whether or not Robinson had an “prolonged community” which will have supported or assisted him.
