Craig D. Robertson, a resident of Provo, Utah, was fatally shot by FBI agents on the morning of August 9, 2023, during a raid conducted in connection with alleged threats against President Joe Biden. Below is a comprehensive overview of the events leading up to the incident, the raid, and the subsequent investigation.
Craig Robertson had been identified as a person who made interstate threats, threats against President Biden, and had allegedly retaliated against federal officers. His threats were considered credible, and he had posted numerous messages on social media threatening not only President Biden but also Vice President Kamala Harris and other officials involved in criminal prosecutions of former President Donald Trump.
In one post, Robertson mentioned that he was preparing his M24 Sniper Rifle for Biden’s visit to Utah. Other posts included threats of assassination against President Biden and Vice President Harris.
The FBI Investigation
The FBI’s investigation into Robertson’s threats began in April, with the U.S. Secret Service being alerted in June. The threats were deemed credible after an investigation revealed that Robertson owned a sniper rifle and a ghillie suit, and his threats were traceable back to as far as September 2022.
Robertson also allegedly threatened New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who was overseeing the criminal investigation into former President Trump at the time.
The Raid
On the morning of August 9, 2023, special FBI agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at Robertson’s residence in Provo, Utah. Robertson was reportedly shot and killed during the attempt, although the exact events leading up to the shooting have not been disclosed.
The FBI has stated that they take all shooting incidents involving their agents seriously, and the incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division.
Charges and Additional Information
Prior to the raid, Robertson was charged with three felony counts of Violation of 18 U.S.C. for interstate threats, threats against the president, and impeding and retaliating against federal law enforcement officers by threat.
President Biden was briefed on the incident on the same day, and the story continues to develop with more details expected to emerge as the investigation continues.
The fatal shooting of Craig Robertson by the FBI in Utah marks a significant event in the ongoing efforts to protect national security and the safety of public officials. Robertson’s threats were treated with the utmost seriousness, leading to a multi-agency investigation that ultimately culminated in his death. The incident underscores the real and present dangers posed by threats made online and emphasizes the commitment of law enforcement agencies to address such threats swiftly and decisively.
