A 75-year-old Provo man, Craig Deeleuw Robertson, was fatally shot by FBI agents on Wednesday while they were executing a search and arrest warrant at his residence. The incident occurred just hours before President Joe Biden’s arrival in Salt Lake City. Robertson had previously posted threatening comments on social media about the president and had warned FBI agents against showing up at his home, as per a federal arrest warrant issued on Tuesday.
The FBI agents arrived at Robertson’s home in Provo around 6:15 a.m. to serve the warrants. The circumstances leading to the shooting have not been disclosed. A neighbor, Cooper Robinson, reported seeing multiple police vehicles converging on Robertson’s home early in the morning. Robinson also mentioned hearing loud noises, which he assumed were flashbang grenades, and the police calling out for Robertson to surrender.
Robertson was charged on Tuesday in federal court with making interstate threats, threatening federal law enforcement, and making threats against the president. A redacted copy of the arrest warrant was released after the shooting. Robertson’s social media posts were filled with threatening remarks against President Biden, including a post about the president’s upcoming visit to Utah.
In addition to threats against the president, charging documents allege that Robertson also threatened to kill New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who was overseeing a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump at the time. Robertson’s social media posts also contained threats against other public officials, including New York State Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Robertson’s social media profile indicated that he was an Air Force Vietnam-era veteran, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and an owner of several firearms. The FBI had been monitoring Robertson since March and had noted his aggressive social media posts. Despite his threats, some neighbors expressed surprise that Robertson was considered a serious threat.
Federal agents continued to monitor Robertson’s social media activity, which revealed his possession of a sniper rifle and a ghillie suit and his intent to use them against public officials. Robertson’s posts also showed his intent to kill District Attorney Bragg and President Biden.