Elderly Man Who Falsely Claimed He Shot Charlie Kirk Now Hit With Child Porn Charges [WATCH]

George Zinn, the 71-year-old Utah man who falsely shouted that he was responsible for shooting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is now facing multiple child pornography charges, according to law enforcement, as reported by The New York Post.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Zinn has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators said they recovered more than 20 images from Zinn’s phone that depicted children as young as five years old in sexual poses.

BREAKING: George Zinn, 71, arrested at the scene of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and who falsely claimed to be the shooter, has now been charged with felony obstruction of justice and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after the FBI discovered images of underage girls… pic.twitter.com/NwE8LMkOqB

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 16, 2025

“Zinn admitted … that he gets sexual gratification from viewing and sharing [child sexual abuse material] images with others, and that his preferred victim age is 5 to 12 years old,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Authorities described Zinn as a political “gadfly.” He was previously arrested last week on a charge of obstruction of justice after he allegedly yelled that he was the gunman responsible for Kirk’s assassination.

NEW: The 71-year-old audience member who was arrested at Charlie Kirk’s UVU event says he told cops he shot Kirk to distract police so the real shooter could escape.

“I shot him, now shoot me,” George Zinn allegedly said immediately after Kirk was shot.

While speaking to… pic.twitter.com/2JiwWXKgR3

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 16, 2025

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The incident took place on a Utah college campus, where Kirk was shot and killed during a public appearance.

Police said Zinn’s outburst was intended to create confusion and aid the real shooter’s escape. Officers quickly determined that Zinn had not fired the fatal shot and took him into custody.

The original person of interest, George Zinn, 71, has allegedly confessed that he pretended to have shot Charlie Kirk to help the real killer escape.

He is being held without bond and charged with felony obstruction. pic.twitter.com/ltgCG5VAjJ

— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) September 16, 2025

The actual suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested more than 30 hours later and charged in the killing of Kirk. Robinson’s arrest ended an intensive manhunt that followed the assassination, which has drawn national attention.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that Zinn’s claims hindered their response efforts in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

Now, with the additional charges of possessing child sexual abuse material, Zinn is facing significant legal consequences unrelated to his interference in the Kirk case.

JUST IN: George Zinn, the old man arrested at Charlie Kirk’s shooting, has now been charged with possession of CHlLD P0RN

Give this guy the same punishment as Kirk’s ACTUAL kiIIer

He’s already been charged with FELONY obstruction after he admitted to staging a distraction to… pic.twitter.com/wFdNUUUmMp

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 16, 2025

The investigation remains ongoing, with Utah authorities handling both the homicide case involving Robinson and the exploitation charges against Zinn. Officials said Zinn remains in custody as prosecutors prepare to move forward with the new criminal counts.

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