The man who originally confessed to killing Charlie Kirk turned out to have crimes against minors

George Zinn, the man who initially claimed responsibility for the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been hit with even more serious charges. Following his arrest for obstruction of justice, Zinn is now facing four counts of possession of child pornography after FBI agents found explicit images of minors on his phone.

The shocking developments came to light after Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Per the Guardian, minutes after the incident, Zinn was apprehended by police, reportedly shouting “I shot him – now shoot me.” He was taken to a hospital for chest pains, where he later admitted to investigators that his confession was a lie. According to TMZ, Court documents reveal that Zinn told federal agents he uses his phone to view “child sexual abuse material,” and that he gets “sexually aroused” by children.

Zinn’s actions were allegedly an attempt to thwart the investigation and draw attention away from the actual killer, with the hope of becoming a “martyr” for Kirk. He apparently told officers he was “glad he said he shot the individual so the real suspect could get away.” A search of his phone allegedly confirmed the presence of over 20 images depicting child abuse, including minors believed to be around five years old, along with explicit messages.

The man who took the fall for the Charlie Kirk assassin committing other crimes

This is particularly concerning given Zinn’s history. Court documents indicate that Zinn has a criminal record spanning three decades in Utah. Notably, in 2013, he was arrested on allegations of inquiring about setting up bombs at the finish line of a marathon, shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing. He has been described as “politically conservative, leaning libertarian.”

While Zinn’s false confession and subsequent charges are significant, the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s actual killing has progressed. Police announced the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Washington County, Utah, as the suspected perpetrator of the murder. Robinson is expected to face formal murder charges.

For Zinn, the situation has escalated from obstruction of justice to severe child exploitation charges. He is currently being held without bail. This case highlights a disturbing intersection of false confessions and deeply concerning criminal behavior, adding a grim layer to the tragic events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death.