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.