Authorities in Utah have clarified details surrounding the recent incident involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. According to official reports, a 71-year-old man named George Hodgson Zinn came forward and falsely claimed responsibility shortly after it happened. Investigators now confirm that Zinn’s statement was untrue and created confusion during the early stages of the response. Officials say Zinn later admitted that he made the false claim to “draw attention away from the actual person involved.”
As a result, he is now facing legal consequences. Authorities also discovered unrelated matters during their review of his background. Zinn has been described locally as someone known for disruptive behavior at public gatherings, but not previously connected to situations of this kind.
The individual later identified as responsible was 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was encouraged by his father to come forward peacefully after more than a day. Officials report that they collected supporting material linking him to the case, including communications and other findings. Robinson is currently under close supervision while also undergoing an evaluation.
Authorities emphasized that Zinn’s false statements complicated an already challenging situation, diverting time and resources during a critical period. Agencies in Utah have said they are now reviewing response protocols to prevent similar issues in the future. The case remains active, with both state and federal authorities continuing their involvement. Additional updates are expected as court proceedings continue to move forward.