When the shocking shooting of political commentator Charlie Kirk

unfolded at Utah Valley University, chaos and confusion gripped

the crowd of thousands. In the immediate aftermath, viral footage

showed an elderly man being dragged away by police, his pants

around his ankles, shouting, “Shoot me!” Many online quickly assumed

he was the rooftop gunman responsible for the attack. For a brief moment,

it looked like authorities had caught their suspect, and social

media erupted with speculation. But as the dust settled, it

became clear this man was not the killer—yet the reason he confessed to the crime is raising new questions.

The man was identified as 71-year-old George Zinn, a familiar

face to Utah authorities with a history of disruptive behavior

at political events and protests. According to police documents

reviewed by FOX 13, Zinn admitted during questioning that he

had falsely claimed responsibility for the shooting. His explanation

stunned investigators: he said he wanted to draw attention away

from the “real shooter” and even described himself as willing

to be a “martyr.” While his words slowed down the investigation

and diverted police resources at a critical time,

Zinn insisted his actions were intentional rather than mistaken.

As the investigation continued, focus shifted to 22-year-old Tyler Robinson,

who now faces multiple charges including aggravated murder and

obstruction of justice. Authorities say Robinson was identified

after his father recognized him in surveillance footage and

persuaded him to surrender following a tense 33-hour manhunt.

Evidence reportedly links Robinson to the crime scene, including

DNA found on items near the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired.

Prosecutors are preparing to pursue the case with the possibility

of capital charges, while Robinson remains under special watch in custody pending a mental health evaluation.

Meanwhile, Zinn faces his own legal consequences. Charged with obstruction of justice,

the eccentric activist once again finds himself at the center of

controversy, though authorities emphasize he has no connection

to Robinson or the attack itself. Known locally as a “gadfly”

for his unusual antics and frequent run-ins with the law—including

a past jail sentence for threats at public events—Zinn’s false

confession may be remembered as one of the strangest twists

in an already tragic story. For many, the bizarre episode

highlights how quickly misinformation and mistaken identity can spread during moments of national crisis.