The elderly political activist who became the first person detained after claiming he’d shot Charlie Kirk told police he lied in an attempt to let the real killer get away.
George Zinn, a 71-year-old Utah resident, was initially suspected of being the shooter as he was taken into custody moments after Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University last week.
Police documents now claim Zinn – who has several prior arrests for trespassing – admitted to causing a distraction to keep law enforcement away from the shooter, now alleged to be 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Zinn had repeatedly asked to see his attorney before making the confession.
He was later taken to a hospital to deal with a pre-existing medical condition and made a further disturbing admission, saying he ‘wanted to be a martyr for the person who was shot.’
Zinn was released from the hospital and then taken to the Utah County Jail after being ordered by a judge Monday to be held without bail, according to Utah Political Watch.