Utah Charges First Suspect in Kirk Shooting With Child Exploitation Crimes

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Authorities in Utah have charged George Zinn, the first individual detained following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with multiple felonies related to child sexual abuse material.

Zinn, 71, was initially taken into custody on Sept. 10, the day Kirk was assassinated during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” event at Utah Valley University.

While Zinn was initially suspected of involvement in the attack, authorities later confirmed he had no connection to the actual shooter.

Immediately after Kirk was fatally shot in the neck, Zinn reportedly shouted to responding officers, “I shot him, now shoot me.”

No firearm was found on his person, and he later admitted that his statement was false, intended to mislead investigators and divert attention from the actual shooter.

Zinn was promptly arrested on obstruction of justice charges, as Resist the Mainstream previously reported.

During his initial custody, Zinn complained of chest pains and was transported to a local hospital.

While under medical supervision, FBI agents and Utah State Bureau of Investigation officers questioned him about illegal material on his devices.

Zinn acknowledged using his phone to view child sexual abuse content, admitting that he was “sexually aroused” by the images, TMZ reports.

A subsequent examination of Zinn’s phone uncovered more than 20 images depicting children ranging from five to 12 years old in sexually explicit situations.

The Utah County Special Victims Unit executed a search warrant based on these findings and formally charged Zinn with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

He remains held at the Utah County Jail on these charges in addition to the obstruction of justice count, per ABC 4.

Authorities have stated there is no evidence linking Zinn to Kirk’s assassination.

Two days after Zinn’s initial detention, law enforcement apprehended 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, identified as the primary suspect in Kirk’s murder.

Robinson faces charges including capital murder, obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm.

Investigators continue to examine whether others may have had knowledge of the shooting beforehand, though evidence so far points to Robinson committing the act alone.

Kirk, 31, co-founded Turning Point USA and was assassinated while addressing attendees at the Utah Valley University event.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the crowd fled, fearing more gunshots. Kirk was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying Robinson and initiating a manhunt that ultimately led to his arrest.

Prosecutors are preparing separate legal proceedings for both Robinson and Zinn.

Robinson could face the death penalty, while Zinn is expected to appear in court later this week to answer to the obstruction and sexual exploitation charges.

Authorities have emphasized that the cases are being treated independently, as Zinn had no involvement in the shooting itself.

Officials note that Zinn’s arrest initially added confusion to the investigation, but his unrelated offenses have now opened a disturbing separate legal front.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office stated, “At this time there is no information that George Zinn actually colluded with the shooter.”

Both the investigation into Kirk’s assassination and Zinn’s charges are ongoing under strict oversight.