The FBI shot and killed Craig D. Robertson early Wednesday morning in Provo, Utah, while serving an arrest warrant. Robertson was accused of threatening President Joe Biden and other government leaders online. The arrest warrant was issued after a judge signed a 30-page felony complaint on Tuesday.
The accusation contained images of allegedly Robertson’s Facebook posts, one of which read: “THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR A PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION OR TWO.” JOE FIRST, THEN KAMALA!!!” These threats frightened authorities, especially since President Biden was due to visit Salt Lake City later that day as part of a Western tour to promote his economic and environment agenda.
According to the lawsuit, on Monday, Robertson posted, “I HEAR BIDEN IS COMING TO UTAH.” “I’M DRIVING OUT MY OLD GHILLE SUIT AND CLEANING THE DUST OFF MY M24 SNIPER RIFLE.”
The shooting happened around 6:15 a.m. local time, as agents prepared to serve arrest and search warrants at Robertson’s home. Sandra Barker, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Utah office, confirmed that the event is being investigated by the agency’s Inspection Division. Further information was not shared because the investigation is still underway.
The incident surprised Robertson’s neighbors, who remembered him as a woodworking enthusiast and a “very sweet older gentleman.” According to state documents, he registered the business Craig’s Custom Woods with the state of Utah in 2016.
Since March 19, the FBI has been looking into Robertson after getting a tip from an unknown social media business. Threats were made against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and former President Donald Trump by a user with the account @winston4eagles, according to the tip. Previously, FBI officials had visited Robertson’s home to inquire about his social media activities.
According to the complaint, Robertson admitted to using the handle @winston4eagles and even wore a cap with the word “TRUMP” sewn on it during the agents’ visit. Before concluding the interview, he portrayed the posts as dreams and demanded a warrant. The complaint went on to describe Robertson’s online postings, including one in which he described a “dream” in which he stood over the body of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Other political personalities were allegedly threatened online by Robertson. “Merrick Garland, the Demented Weasel, I am 100% anti-abortion,” he allegedly stated in an October 2022 post. Why aren’t your FBI cowards breaking down my door? “Be aware that ‘they will die.'”
The event emphasizes the persistent difficulties that law enforcement faces in dealing with internet threats and the possible implications of such threats in an increasingly digital society.