A man who threatened to kill Joe Biden in Utah was shot dead by the FBI hours before the president arrived in the state.
Craig Deleeuw Robertson died when special agents raided his home to arrest him in Provo, a town south of Salt Lake City.
In a complaint filed by prosecutors, Robertson was charged with making threats against the president, interstate threats and threatening law enforcement officials.
In a social media post on Monday, he wrote, “I hear Biden is coming to Utah. Dusting the M24 sniper rifle. Welcome (sic), buffoon!
The reports indicated that Robertson did possess a long-range sniper rifle, and numerous other weapons, as well as camouflage gear known as a “ghillie suit”.
According to prosecutors, Robertson, who was in his 70s, had also made threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
He had written on social media: “The time is right for a presidential assassination or two. First Joe then Kamala!!!”
The complaint included photos Robertson posted on social media of his extensive collection of guns, including a semi-automatic rifle he called a “Democrat exterminator.”
According to the complaint, Robertson described himself as a “MAGA Trumper”.
Biden is currently visiting the western United States and was scheduled to fly late Wednesday from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Salt Lake City.
The U.S. Secret Service, which protects the president, said it was “aware of the FBI investigation involving a person in Utah who made threats to a protected Secret Service person.”
An FBI spokesperson said, “The FBI takes seriously all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members.”
It said Robertson’s shooting was under review.
Robertson had also made threats against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
In a social media post described in the complaint, Robertson said he was on his way to New York to “fulfill my dream of (sic)” punishing Mr. Bragg.
Expand your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US exclusive offer.
