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A 71-year-old man, taken into custody shortly after the shooting of Charlie Kirk and then released, tried to assist the alleged shooter flee by faking a confession, law enforcement report.

Utah County Sheriff Michael Smith said that George Zinn told officers that he had "exclaimed that he was the shooter to enable the true gunman flee".

The prime suspect in the assassination is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who reportedly noted Mr Zinn's early detention after the attack, texting his housemate via message that the police "arrested some crazy old dude."

Mr Zinn is remaining in custody on interfering with law enforcement charges. Additionally, he has additionally faced accusations with holding illicit imagery.

Further Information on the Investigation

George Zinn was part of a pair that authorities questioned for investigation after political activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on 10 September.

Police eventually found that the persons of interest were had no role in the attack.

Mr Zinn "deliberately shouted he was the shooter and by doing so, impeded the police from concentrating on the actual shooter", the sheriff said in a release.

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

When asked by an officer where the gun employed during the shooting was located, he is said to have replied: "I won’t disclose that", per the documents.

The sheriff clarified that there was currently no evidence Mr Zinn worked alongside the gunman.

Other Allegations

The law enforcement official further stated that Mr Zinn is also being held for the misconduct with a young person, and that investigators discovered more than 20 images of children "showing inappropriate exposure and sexual posing."

On earlier this week, a judge ordered that Mr Zinn be held denied release, describing him as a "serious threat" to the community.

It was not clear from legal documents if he had a lawyer.

History of the Individual

Mr Zinn is recognized among coordinators of forums in the region. "He was a regular presence at events with the purpose of disturbing the event or challenge a prominent figure", sources indicate.

He additionally possesses a pattern of petty violations, including an arrest in 2013 for sending a threatening email to the coordinators of the Salt Lake City Marathon shortly following the Boston Marathon bombing.

Legal Proceedings

Robinson, the key individual in the shooting was indicted on multiple charges including first-degree homicide, on recently.

Charlie Kirk was one of the highest profile conservative activists and influencers in the US.

Known for his bold opinions on identity, race, and firearm legislation, Kirk was a controversial individual and a close ally of Donald Trump.

He was targeted while hosting an event at Utah Valley University, in what law enforcement called a intentional homicide. The ex-president referred to Mr Kirk "a dedicated conservative" and said his killing marked a "dark moment for America".