FBI alleges 75-year-old Utah man fatally shot during raid after pointing gun at agents.

The FBI’s Statement on Fatal Shooting ‌of Utah Man

The ⁤FBI‍ issued a press statement on Monday regarding‌ the tragic incident that took place during a⁤ pre-dawn⁤ raid last Wednesday. According to the statement, the ​75-year-old Utah man, ⁤Craig Deleeuw Robertson, was fatally shot and killed ‌after allegedly pointing his firearm at federal agents while resisting arrest.

Robertson, a resident of Provo, Utah, had made threatening social media posts ‌against​ President ⁤Joe Biden and other elected officials. He was facing three⁢ felony ⁤counts, including interstate threats, threats against the ⁤president, and influencing, impeding, and retaliating against federal law enforcement ​officers by threat.

The details of the incident have been scarce, and‍ the FBI has not released any body camera footage. ​However, PBS ​NewsHour​ White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López shared a comment from the bureau on Twitter:

New FBI statement on Utah‌ man who‍ threatened President Biden, elected ‍officials and ‍law enforcement: Agents attempted to​ serve warrant/arrest 75-year-old Craig Robertson “Robertson resisted arrest & as agents attempted⁤ to ‍take him into custody, he pointed a .357 revolver⁣ at them” pic.twitter.com/RS8AN4dMqp

— Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez)​ August 14, 2023

According to ⁤the FBI’s statement, the incident occurred ⁢when special agents ‌attempted to serve arrest and search warrants on Robertson at his home. He resisted arrest, and as agents tried⁣ to⁢ take him into custody, he pointed ⁤a .357 revolver at ⁣them.

Leading up to​ Biden’s visit⁢ to Utah, Robertson‌ had allegedly‌ made‌ concerning posts on social media. On ​August ​6, he wrote, “I hear Biden is coming to Utah,” and claimed to be “cleaning the ​dust off his M24 sniper.” On July 27, he ‍asked the‌ FBI if they were still monitoring his ⁤social media and ⁢mentioned‌ having a loaded gun handy. He also allegedly wrote, “The‌ time‍ is right for a presidential assassination or two. First Joe then⁣ Kamala!!!”

Neighbors ⁤of Robertson‌ described him as non-violent and questioned the ⁤FBI’s use of force against an ⁢overweight septuagenarian. They ‌believed⁢ that if the authorities were concerned about his statements turning into actions, they could have waited⁣ to see if he would even leave his property that day.

The FBI stated that they take‍ all shooting​ incidents involving their ⁢agents or task force officers seriously⁣ and that the incident is under review‌ by ‌the ⁢FBI’s Inspection Division. ‌They have no further details to provide at‌ this time.

Robertson’s family ⁣issued a statement emphasizing that while his statements⁤ may have been intemperate, he would never commit an act of⁤ violence over‌ a political or philosophical disagreement. They⁣ described ⁣him as a kind and generous person who⁣ always helped others, despite his⁤ physical challenges.

Leif Le Mahieu and Brent Scher contributed⁣ to this report.

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