A Utah man was shot and killed during an FBI raid early Wednesday morning the FBI confirmed. “The raid was in connection with an investigation into alleged threats against President Joe Biden and others,” as stated by two officials briefed on the case.
One of the officials informed ABC News that the investigation had commenced in April, and the U.S. Secret Service was informed by the FBI in June. “In addition to threatening posts,” the official stated, “the man under investigation indicated online he was making plans to take physical action. The threats had been deemed ‘credible,'” the official mentioned.
The FBI in Salt Lake City reported that the shooting transpired around 6:15 am local time while special agents endeavored to execute arrest and search warrants at a domicile in Provo. According to the FBI, “The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously.” They added, “In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division. As this is an ongoing matter, we have no further details to provide.”
The deceased individual in question was Craig Robertson, according to multiple sources and a federal complaint.
According to the complaint, Robertson was facing three counts—interstate threats, threats against the president, and influencing, impeding, and retaliating against federal law enforcement officers by threat.
The complaint includes numerous social media posts attributed to Robertson, wherein he allegedly threatened to kill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, along with several officials involved in prosecuting former President Donald Trump. Notably, the president was scheduled to visit Utah on Wednesday.
Among the posts purportedly authored by Robertson was one posted on Aug. 6, three days before Biden’s planned visit. The post read, “I hear Biden is coming to Utah. Digging out my old ghillie suit and cleaning the dust off the M24 sniper rifle,” the complaint detailed. The complaint referred to the post as a “willful true threat to kill or cause injury to kill President Biden.”
Just two days ago Robertson posted, “Hey FBI, you still monitoring my social media? Checking so I can be sure to have a loaded gun handy in case you drop by again”.
On Wednesday morning, senior staff briefed Biden on the incident, according to a White House official.
A spokesperson from the U.S. Secret Service acknowledged awareness of the FBI investigation “involving an individual in Utah who has exhibited threats towards a Secret Service protectee.” The spokesperson directed any inquiries to the FBI.
