FBI special agents shot dead a Utah man on Wednesday as they attempted to arrest him for allegedly making threats against President Joe Biden ahead of the president’s trip to the state.
FBI SWAT agents gave orders to the man when he pointed a gun at them, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the incident.
The man, Craig Robertson, faced three federal charges, including threats against the president and influencing, obstructing and retaliating against federal law enforcement officers by threat. Investigators noted that Robertson appears to own “a sniper rifle” and several other firearms.
Some of the threats occurred just before Biden’s scheduled trip to Utah on Wednesday night.
“I HEARED BIDEN IS COMING TO UTAH,” read a threat, according to prosecutors. “DIGGING OUT MY OLD GILLE SUIT AND CLEANING THE DUST FROM THE M24 SUNRIGER RIFLE. WELCOME, BUFFOON-IN-CHIEF!”
Robertson also posted threats online in recent months against other Democratic politicians and prosecutors who have brought cases against former President Donald Trump. The case comes amid heightened vitriol targeting state and local leaders ahead of the 2024 election and what FBI Director Christopher Wray has called an “unprecedented” level of threats against FBI agents.
In a Monday post, Robertson said, “Hey FBI, are you still monitoring my social media? Just checking so I make sure I have a loaded gun handy in case you come by again.”
Biden was briefed on the matter in New Mexico on Wednesday, where he made comments about production ahead of his planned trip to Salt Lake City.
“The FBI is investigating a shooting involving an agent that occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Provo, Utah. The incident began when special agents attempted to issue arrest and search warrants at a residence. The subject has died,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.
The spokesperson continued, “The FBI takes seriously all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members. In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is being reviewed by the FBI’s inspection division.”
The US Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting senior government officials, including Biden, referred questions to the agency. “The Secret Service is aware of the FBI investigation involving an individual in Utah who made threats to a Secret Service protected person,” a Secret Service spokesman said.
Robertson also reportedly made threats against Attorney General Merrick Garland on Facebook, including a photo of a semi-automatic pistol with the caption “Merrick Garland extermination tool” and a description of a dream about killing the Attorney General. Other politicians he reportedly made threats against included Vice President Kamala Harris, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In a Truth Social post highlighted by prosecutors, Robertson took aim at New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who filed criminal charges against Trump over a hush money scheme ahead of the 2016 election.
Robertson wrote: “On my way to New York to fulfill my dream to shine [sic] another…two-but political hach [sic] DAs.”
The post, quoted in court documents, continued: “I want to stand over Bragg and make a nice hole in his forehead with my 9mm and watch him shake as a drop of blood seeps out of the hole as his life fades away to hell !! ”
FBI agents approached Robertson at his home in March about a social media post, investigators wrote in an affidavit. Robertson would not talk to the officers, saying “I said it was a dream!” and “We are done here! Don’t come back without a warrant.’
After the interaction, Robertson allegedly threatened FBI agents online repeatedly. One such Facebook post in court documents said, “TO MY FRIENDS IN THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF IDIOTS: I KNOW YOU’RE READING THIS AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW CLOSE TO ‘BANG’ YOUR AGENTS ARE COMING.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
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