Man falsely confessed to Charlie Kirk shooting to help assassin escape, police say

George Zinn, a 71-year-old man, confessed to the shooting of Charlie Kirk to protect the real shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, who was later arrested for murder. Zinn's actions obstructed the investigation, leading to felony charges against him. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting at Utah Valley University, Zinn approached police officers, claiming, "I shot him; now shoot me," as chaos ensued with students fleeing. Videos on social media depicted Zinn being escorted away by police, with students expressing outrage at his apparent confession. A judge ruled Zinn to be a "substantial danger" to the community, ordering him held without bail.

Zinn has a history of attending public forums to disrupt events and has previously faced minor criminal charges, including a 2013 incident involving a threatening email. His detention may have hindered the investigation into Kirk's death, as police originally detained him for questioning. The incident highlights significant challenges in managing security during large public events, where limited law enforcement presence can complicate responses to violence.