OREM, Utah — In the chaotic moments following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, a 71-year-old man falsely claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting his arrest and temporarily diverting law enforcement resources, FOX13 reported.
The man was seen in viral videos being led away in handcuffs shortly after the Sept. 10 shooting, which led many to believe a suspect had already been apprehended, according to the report. However, police later clarified that the man was not involved in the shooting and was instead taken into custody for obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony.
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Newly obtained police documents reveal that the man approached an officer at the scene and repeatedly shouted, “I shot him now shoot me.” Although the officer saw the man’s hands and observed no weapon, the man continued making the claim and refused to reveal the location of any firearm. Officers searched him but found nothing.
As he was escorted to a patrol vehicle, the man again insisted he was the shooter and asked officers to shoot him, according to FOX 13. After being taken into custody, he invoked his right to an attorney and later recanted, telling police he had lied about being the shooter in an effort to “draw attention from the real shooter.” He later repeated that sentiment while being transported to the hospital for a medical condition, saying he wanted to be a “martyr for the person who was shot.”
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Authorities say the man’s actions delayed the investigation into Kirk’s death and diverted critical resources in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Nearly two days later, Tyler Robinson was arrested and charged in connection with Kirk’s killing. Police have not indicated any connection between Robinson and the man who claimed responsibility or suggested that that man was aware of the shooting plot, according to the report.
The suspect was booked into the Utah County Jail. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
