He regularly made threats against Joe Biden on social media. The septuagenarian, monitored for months by the US authorities, was shot dead on Wednesday by the FBI in Utah, a few hours before a planned visit of the US president to this western state of the country.
The FBI said a suspect was killed early Wednesday when officers tried to arrest him in Provo, south of Salt Lake City. An investigation is underway, the FBI added without providing details about the man.
Supporter of Donald Trump
The latter was identified as Craig Robertson in a complaint by federal prosecutors in Utah. According to this document, he was a septuagenarian who presented himself as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, and repeatedly threatened Joe Biden in social media posts.
Utah man Craig Robertson shot dead during FBI raid of his residence after he posted messages threatening the lives of President Biden and NY DA Alvin Bragg. Just two days ago Robertson posted, "Hey FBI, you still monitoring my social media? Checking so I can be sure to have a... pic.twitter.com/72epEeKvzA
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 9, 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland and prosecutor Alvin Bragg — who oversaw the investigation that led to an indictment of Donald Trump in New York — were also threatened, as were FBI agents themselves.
"Now is the time for a presidential assassination or two. First Joe and then Kamala !! " says one of the posts. "I hear that Biden is coming to Utah ... I dust off the M24 rifle. Welcome, buffoon-in-chief! " says another, published a few days ago according to the complaint. The man had also, according to the same source, published many photos of firearms.
Craig Robertson, from Provo, UT, was killed today by the FBI during a raid after he made threats against Biden. Here are some of his recent Facebook posts -- all just in the last two days.https://t.co/j3Lpn2TKfI pic.twitter.com/0BhZo3VM9e
— Aric Toler (@AricToler) August 9, 2023
President Biden is currently visiting the western United States and is scheduled to visit Salt Lake City later Wednesday.
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The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting senior state figures, said it was "aware of the FBI investigation involving an individual in Utah who threatened a person protected by the Secret Service," but provided no further details.