Armed Utah Man Threatens President Biden, Shot and Killed by FBI Agents

Armed Utah Man Making Threats Against President Biden Shot and Killed by FBI Agents

PROVO, Utah (AP) — An armed Utah man accused of making violent threats against President Joe Biden was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president landed in the state Wednesday, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at 6:15 a.m. when special agents were attempting to serve a warrant on the home of Craig Deleeuw Robertson in Provo, south of Salt Lake City, according to a statement from the FBI.

Robertson was armed at the time of the shooting, according to two law enforcement sources who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The investigation into Robertson began after he posted online threats against several public figures, including President Biden, according to court documents. In his posts, Robertson referred to himself as a “MAGA Trumper” and made threats against top law enforcement officials overseeing court cases against former President Donald Trump.

President Biden had flown to Utah ahead of a visit to a Veterans Affairs hospital in Salt Lake City and a reelection fundraiser. A White House official confirmed that Biden was briefed on the situation after the raid.

Court records indicate that Robertson owned a long-range sniper rifle and other weapons, as well as camouflage gear known as a “ghillie suit.” He was charged under seal on Tuesday with three felony counts, including making threats against the president and against FBI agents investigating him.

Authorities also discovered that Robertson had made threats against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The FBI investigation into Robertson began with a tip about the threat against Bragg from the social media platform Truth Social. Robertson’s account on the platform, created by Trump, has since been suspended.

Further details about the shooting have not been released, as the incident is under review by the FBI.

Law enforcement officials were seen removing items from the Provo house where the confrontation took place. The house is connected to Robertson through public records.

Neighbors of Robertson described him as a “frail of health” and a masterful woodworker. They expressed surprise that he was considered a serious threat, stating that he often made off-color jokes but nothing that indicated he would act on his threats.

Robertson had a collection of approximately 20 guns, which was not unusual for the area, according to his neighbors.

President Biden, who is currently on a trip to the Western United States, flew to Salt Lake City after spending Wednesday in New Mexico.

Whitehurst reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Colleen Long in Washington, Colleen Slevin and Jesse Bedayn in Denver, and Chris Megerian in Belen, New Mexico, contributed to this report.

What prompted the FBI to investigate Craig Deleeuw Robertson’s online threats against President Biden and other public figures?

Utah on Wednesday for an official visit when the armed man, Craig Deleeuw Robertson, who had been accused of making violent threats against him, was shot and killed by FBI agents. The incident took place in Provo, a city south of Salt Lake City, as FBI agents were attempting to serve a warrant on Robertson’s home.

According to the FBI, the shooting occurred at 6:15 a.m. when agents encountered Robertson, who was armed at the time. The agents had been investigating Robertson’s online threats against President Biden and other public figures, including law enforcement officials involved in cases against former President Donald Trump.

Court documents revealed that Robertson identified himself as a “MAGA Trumper” in his online posts and made threats against those overseeing the legal actions against Trump. The FBI had been tracking Robertson’s activities and deemed the threats serious enough to warrant further investigation.

The shooting took place just hours before President Biden’s arrival in Utah. The President was unaware of the incident when it occurred, and there was no known connection between Robertson and the President’s visit. The FBI is conducting an investigation into the shooting, and further details have yet to be released.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing threats made against public officials, especially in an era of heightened political tensions. The FBI’s swift action in neutralizing the threat against President Biden is a testament to their dedication to protecting the safety of the nation’s leaders.