Family of Utah man Craig Robertson killed by the FBI release statement following his death
- Craig Robertson, 75, was shot and killed by FBI agents at his Provo, Utah home at 6:15am on Wednesday morning, after making threats to kill Joe Biden that day
- Robertson’s family has said in a statement that his death was ‘senseless’ and said that he was merely practicing his First Amendment rights on social media
- His family also revealed that Robertson was largely ‘homebound’ and said that he would never hurt someone over politics
The family of Craig Robertson, who was killed by FBI agents on his doorstep after making violent threats against President Joe Biden on Facebook, called his death in ‘senseless’ in a heartbreaking new statement.
In the statement, Robertson is referred to as a churchgoing father and brother who made children’s toys as a hobby using his woodworking skills.
‘The Craig Robertson we knew was a kind and generous person who was always willing to assist another in need, even when advanced age, limited mobility and other physical challenges made it more difficult and painful for him to do so,’ the release read in part.
Robertson, 75, was killed by the FBI on his doorstep in Provo – an hour from Salt Lake City – on Wednesday.
His family called his social media activities ‘intemperate’ but said that he would never ‘commit any act of violence against another human being over a political or philosophical disagreement.’
That sentiment was echoed by neighbor Andrew Maunder who told The Salt Lake Tribune that Robertson ‘definitely had his political views, which he was very public about on Facebook. But I think deep down, he was just a cranky old guy who was harmless.’
Robertson had a custom woodworking business but did not renew his license after it expired last year, according to state records
Craig Robertson in another photo posting with his weapons wearing a bulletproof vest, a ski mask and a helmet
Another neighbor, Connor Bunch, said that their neighborhood was shocked by the tragedy and called Robertson as ‘teddy bear’ in an interview with the New York Post.
‘I don’t think he was even given a chance to even see a warrant when they went in and raided house,’ Bunch added.
‘As an elderly- and largely homebound-man, there was very little he could do but exercise his First Amendment right to free speech and voice his protest in what has become the public square of our age — the internet and social media,’ his family also said in their statement.
Speaking about his patriotism, Robertson’s family said that he ‘loved this country with all his heart.’
The family concluded by saying that they ‘hold no personal animosity’ towards the agents involved in the raid and asked for privacy as they grieve.
Robertson had one previous criminal conviction, pleading no contest to disorderly conduct and paying a $100 fine in 2007.
Video shared on social media showed neighbors peering out from behind curtains and fearfully watching the dawn raid.
The FBI attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at Robertson’s house at 6:15am, but were met with resistance. Sources told AP that Robertson, who had a large arsenal in his home, was armed when they arrived.
Agents in protective clothing can be seen advancing on his door, and heard yelling at him.
One of the agents flung what appeared to be a smoke bomb, which can be seen exploding to the left of the image, by the front door
Robertson is seen lying on the sidewalk in front of his house after Wednesday’s shooting
Robertson, 75, was gunned down on his doorstep by agents in Provo – an hour from Salt Lake City – after they were alerted to his posts about the president
Biden is pictured arriving at Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday
One then flings what seems to be a smoke bomb, which explodes near the front door.
The actual shooting is unclear, but photos from the scene show Robertson lying on his back, dead on the sidewalk in front of his house.
‘The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously,’ the agency said in a statement.
‘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 FBI began investigating Robertson in April, and the Secret Service was informed in June.
For months, Robertson had posted daily threats on what is believed to be his Facebook page, revealing his obsession with the president and fantasies about hurting him.
One post reads: ‘There is only one creature in this universe I hate more than Joe Biden. It’s Lucifer, Biden’s brother!’
While conducting surveillance on Robertson’s home on March 19, a special agent attempted to speak with Robertson about his posts, according to Fox13.
Robertson replied: ‘I said it was a dream!’
He told the agent to come back with a warrant.
Robertson, who had a custom woodworking business, worked for 45 years as a structural steel and welding inspector before retiring and starting his own company.
His posts grew increasingly violent and threatening, and singled out Kamala Harris, Californian governor Gavin Newsom and Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg in addition to Biden.
Robertson had several photos of himself posing with weapons and wearing tactical gear on social media
The threats involved plans to take physical action and the FBI deemed them ‘credible’
Robertson shared numerous pictures online of the heavy duty weapons he had stacked in a huge gun cache in his house, including sniper rifles and AR-15-style guns
In March, Robertson threatened to kill Bragg, who is overseeing the criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump.
‘I’ll be waiting in the courthouse parking garage with my suppressed Smith &Wesson M&P 9mm to smoke a radical fool prosecutor that should never have been elected,’ he posted at the time.
‘BYE, BYE, TO ANOTHER CORRUPT B______!!!’
The majority of his social media posts revolved around the president or his son Hunter – and many included violent and highly specific physical threats.
‘In my dream I see Joe Biden’s body in a dark corner of a DC parking garage with his head severed and lying in a huge puddle of blood. Hoorah,’ he wrote.
As Biden’s planned visit to Utah drew closer, Robertson increased his specific threats.
Messages posted on what is believed to be his Facebook page on Tuesday included bloodthirsty content about how he’d brutally murder the commander in chief
The page, which posted pro-Trump comments, also had more death threats against Biden’s brother, Kamala Harris as well as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg
On Monday, Robertson allegedly wrote: ‘I hear Biden is coming to Utah. Digging out my hold Ghillie suit and cleaning the dust off the M24 sniper rifle.’
‘Welcome Baffoon in Chief!,’ he concluded the post, which was written in bold black letters on a pink and purple swirly background.
He then wrote: ‘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 Tuesday his Facebook posts included bloodthirsty content about how he’d brutally murder the commander in chief.
He also shared numerous pictures of the heavy duty weapons he had stacked in a huge gun cache in his house, including sniper rifles and AR-15-style guns.
Court documents show Robertson threatened to ‘inflict bodily harm’ on Biden during his visit to Utah
Special agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at a residence in Provo when they shot and killed Craig Deleeuw Robertson at around 6:15 am
Law enforcement investigate the scene of a shooting involving the FBI Wednesday in Provo, Utah
Robertson, who was accused of making threats against President Joe Biden, was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president was expected to land in the state Wednesday
A Provo police officer walks away as FBI officials and other law enforcement officers stand outside the home of Craig Robertson who was shot and killed by the FBI in a raid on his home
The investigation began in April and the US Secret Services became aware of it in June
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy at Arcosa, a wind tower manufacturing facility, in Belen, New Mexico, on Wednesday morning
Craig Robertson’s family statement in full
‘We, the family of Craig Deeluew Robertson, are shocked and devastated by the senseless and tragic killing of our beloved father and brother, and we fervently mourn the loss of a good and decent man.
The Craig Robertson we knew was a kind and generous person who was always willing to assist another in need, even when advanced age, limited mobility, and other physical challenges made it more difficult and painful for him to do so.
He often used his expert woodworking skills to craft beautiful and creative items for others, including toys such as sleighs, rocking horses, and bubble gum dispensers for the children of friends and neighbors at Christmas time. He was active in his local church congregation and loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart.
He was a devoted dog lover all his life, and he lavished his animals with love and affection. He was a lover of history and an avid reader of every kind of book. In his younger years, he was a sportsman and hunter.
He was a firearm enthusiast, collector and gunsmith, who staunchly supported the constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms for the purposes of providing food and protection for his family and home.
As a safety inspector in the steel industry, he worked diligently and conscientiously to safeguard the lives and well-being of untold thousands who would use, and benefit from, the numerous industrial and public works projects he was responsible for during the course of a decades-long career.
Craig loved this country with all his heart. He saw it as a God-inspired and God-blessed land of liberty. He was understandably frustrated and distraught by the present and on-going erosions to our constitutionally protected freedoms and the rights of free citizens wrought by what he, and many others in this nation, observed to be a corrupt and overreaching government.
As an elderly–and largely homebound–man, there was very little he could do but exercise his First Amendment right to free speech and voice his protest in what has become the public square of our age–the internet and social media. Though his statements were intemperate at times, he has never, and would never, commit any act of violence against another human being over a political or philosophical disagreement.
As our family processes the grief and pain of our loss, we would have it be known that we hold no personal animosity towards those individuals who took part in the ill-fated events of the morning of August 9, 2023, which resulted in Craig’s death.
We ask that the media and public respect our family members’ privacy and give us the time and space needed to come to terms with the sad tragedy of these events.’
Later that day, an arrest warrant was unsealed ahead of Biden’s arrival on Wednesday in the state.
Court documents show Robertson, who is a self-described ‘MAGA TRUMPER,’ threatened to ‘inflict bodily harm’ on Biden during his visit to Utah.
He was charged with interstate threats; threats against the president; and influencing, and impeding and retaliating against federal law enforcement officers by threat.
The FBI raided his home in the early hours of Wednesday morning, just hours before Biden was due in the city for a series of speeches and visits.
An FBI official said the raid was in connection with an investigation into threats against Biden and other political figures in previous weeks.
The threats involved plans to take physical action and the FBI deemed them ‘credible.’
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