FBI investigation of Utah man’s murder is raising questions from neighbors

A clearer picture is emerging of a 75-year-old Utah man who was shot and killed by the FBI when he tried to serve a search warrant hours before Joe Biden arrived in the state during his re-election campaign.

But questions are also being asked whether Craig Robertson was a “credible threat,” as the FBI claims, or what neighbors in Provo, Utah, described to local media as a man with anti-government views who wielded a cane. And I loved to hoax and tell tall tales, especially on social media.

Robertson had posted threats against the president, including asking whether Utah would “become famous as the place where a sniper shot down Marxist Biden”. He also urged Utah residents to fire their guns in the air when Air Force One arrived, Deseret News reported,

Late last month Robertson posted a message: “Hey FBI, you still monitoring my social media? Checking so I can make sure I have a loaded gun in case you come again.

On August 6, three days before Biden’s visit, Robertson posted: “I heard Biden is coming to Utah. digging out my old ghillie suit and dusting off my M24 sniper rifle.” And on Monday, according to the 37-page federal complaint, Robertson wrote: “I heard Biden is coming to Utah. Digging out my old ghillie suit and dusting off my M24 sniper rifle. Welcome, Chief Jester!”

The legal complaint alleges Robertson made “intentionally made true threats to kill or injure President Biden” in order to influence, obstruct, and retaliate against federal law enforcement officials through interstate threats, threats and intimidation against the president. represented.

He also made threats against several familiar liberal politicians and officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, US Attorney General Merrick Garland, Vice President Kamala Harris and progressive New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

CBS News The report states that it was told by law enforcement that the man had engaged FBI agents in a shootout when they attempted to serve the warrant.

a neighbor told Deseret News He saw several unidentified vehicles blocked off the road early Wednesday and heard agents yell: “Craig Robertson, please get out with your hands up” before a flash grenade was heard.

neighbor, cooper robinson, Said Then he heard some shouting, I couldn’t understand what they were saying. But at some point I heard five shots fired.

Nyla Rollins, another neighbor, estimated that 50 agents were involved. “He called my neighbor to come outside. And he says, ‘I’m not coming out (expletive).’ And after that I haven’t heard anything,” Rollins told the news,

Questions are being asked whether the FBI’s response was unnecessarily harsh. Travis Clark said, “The FBI just came and shot an elderly man in my ward.” told paper. “You know, a guy who’s about 80 years old, weighs 300 pounds, and can barely walk with a cane.”

Despite his anti-government rhetoric, Robertson was described as a “teddy bear” in the church congregation, so steadfast that he would walk the 200 yards to church.

He was also known as a talented carpenter, creating intricate coffee tables and rocking chairs. Despite being known as a gun collector, he was not thought to carry a gun with him at all times. Clark said, “If he had taken it, we would never have known about it.” news, “We all knew he had guns, that he collected guns… but I mean, this is Utah.”

Neighbors also said that he would make “unorthodox” political comments, but nothing that threatened violence and political assassination.

Clark said, “I just think that he is an old man keeping his mouth shut.” “He didn’t do anything that made me think he was mentally or physically capable of anything. And anyone who knew him knew this.

Clark continued, “I just can’t believe this guy needed a reaction like that.”

Robertson had previously been met by agents at his home, where he dismissed their concerns about his online comments. ‘I said it was a dream!’ Robertson said, according to the federal complaint. “We’re done here! Don’t come back without a warrant!

He later posted: “To my friends at the Federal Bureau of Idiots: I know you are reading this and have no idea how close your agents came to the ‘bang.'” he claimed. The FBI tried to interfere with my free speech right in my way. My 45ACP was ready to smoke em!!!”

But that may have been silly, said Robinson, who added that Robertson was a “big storyteller” who liked the attention of big stories.

“So a guy who’s sitting at home all day with nothing much to do, if he’s on his phone and is involved in politics and has strong political opinions, I’m not surprised he tries Posts like this will attract attention,” Robinson pointed out. Deseret News,

He said, “I’m just hoping the FBI has some other evidence besides the Facebook post that would make them want to raid her house like they did.”