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An elderly individual, arrested in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk and then released, attempted to help the alleged shooter flee by faking a confession, authorities state.

Utah County Sheriff Michael Smith revealed that George Zinn confessed to authorities that he had "shouted that he was the shooter to help the actual suspect flee".

The main individual in the shooting is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who appeared to acknowledge Mr Zinn's initial arrest after the incident, telling his roommate through a text that the police "detained some unstable senior."

Mr Zinn is being held on obstruction of justice charges. Separately, he has been indicted with holding illicit imagery.

Further Information on the Investigation

George Zinn was among several individuals that police had detained for questioning after media personality Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on the tenth of September.

Police later determined that the persons of interest were were uninvolved in the attack.

Mr Zinn "purposefully exclaimed he was the shooter and by doing so, obstructed Law Enforcement from concentrating on the true perpetrator", the sheriff stated in a official comment.

Court documents filed by campus police claim that Mr Zinn began shouting: "I am the shooter - now shoot me."

When questioned by police where the gun involved in the shooting was situated, he reportedly answered: "I won’t disclose that", according to the documents.

The sheriff said that there was so far no indication Mr Zinn worked alongside the gunman.

Other Allegations

Michael Smith added that Mr Zinn is facing custody for the misconduct with a young person, and that investigators discovered over twenty pictures of children "partially or fully unclothed and sexual posing."

On Monday, a court ruled that Mr Zinn be held denied release, labeling him a "serious threat" to the community.

It was not clear from court records if he had a lawyer.

Past Behavior of the Individual

Mr Zinn is familiar among planners of public events in the local area. "He was a regular presence at public forums with the aim of interrupting the event or question a high-profile speaker", sources indicate.

He additionally possesses a pattern of petty violations, including an previous apprehension for dispatching an intimidating message to the organizers of the Salt Lake City Marathon in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Case Updates

Tyler Robinson, the prime suspect in the killing was charged on seven counts including first-degree homicide, on this week.

Charlie Kirk was among the most prominent conservative activists and influencers in the US.

Recognized for his strong statements on social issues, cultural topics, and gun rights, Kirk was a controversial individual and a key associate of Donald Trump.

He was attacked while hosting an event at Utah Valley University, in what law enforcement called a intentional homicide. Former President Trump referred to Mr Kirk "a patriot" and said his killing marked a "dark moment for America".