Provo FBI – Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area

Provo Man Pulled a Gun on the FBI Before Being Killed

Advertisements

_{By Eric Rockwell}

The FBI was recently involved in the death of Provo citizen Craig DeLeeuw Robertson. New reports indicate Robertson pointed a gun at agents before being shot and killed on Wednesday, August 9.

Advertisements

Robertson was armed with a .357 revolver, according to court documents. The incident occurred hours before President Joe Biden arrived in Salt Lake City – around 6:15 AM. The confrontation occurred as FBI agents approached him to deliver an arrest warrant for three felonies.

“The FBI continues to review an agent-involved shooting which occurred around 6:15 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Provo, Utah,” said FBI Spokesperson Sandra Barker in a statement. “The incident began when special agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants on 75-year-old Craig Deeleuw Robertson at his home for threats to elected officials and law enforcement officers. Robertson resisted arrest and as agents attempted to take him into custody he pointed a .357 revolver at them. The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force officers seriously. In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division. We have no further details to provide at this time.”

Age 75, Robertson was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His behavior on social media prompted intervention by law enforcement. He posted threats against New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg (who was the first to indict former President Donald Trump); President Biden; and the FBI agents in contact with Robertson.

“I hear Biden is coming to Utah. Digging out my old ghillie suit and cleaning the dust off the m24 sniper rife [sic]. Welcome, Buffon-in-Chief [sic],” Robertson posted days before the president’s arrival in the state. As an Air Force Veteran in possession of the firearms discussed, this threat was taken seriously.

Robertson’s family released an official public statement on Facebook regarding his death.

“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 statement said.

The family said they “hold no animosity” to any individuals involved in the incident. They described Robertson as a kind and caring person, and didn’t believe he would ever harm another individual.

Craig Robertson wearing a ghillie suit in an undated Facebook photo.

“He (Robertson) was understandably frustrated and distraught by the present and on-going erosions to our constitutionally protected freedoms and the rights of free citizens … 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,” the statement said.

Family and friends of Robertson asked the media and general public for privacy while they grieve and “come to terms with the sad tragedy of these events.”

The shooting is still under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division, and Biden left Utah on Aug. 10 without incident.

Advertisements

FBI Shoots and Kills Elderly Provo Man

Advertisements

_{By Richard Provost}

An elderly man named Craig Robertson was shot and killed in his home in Provo on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. A frequent poster on social media, Robertson’s posts included threats toward President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden visited Utah this week ahead of his re-election campaign.

Robertson’s Facebook account showed multiple posts threatening violence. One example said Utah would become famous “as the place a sniper took out Biden the Marxist.” Robertson, a veteran, also frequently posted photos of his firearms.

The FBI contacted Robertson about his comments. He replied publicly on July 27 with this post: “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.” His Facebook profile has since been taken down.

The president was briefed by senior staff on the FBI shooting, a White House official said. No information about how the incident unfolded has been publicly released by law enforcement. CBS News reported that Robertson engaged FBI agents in a gunfight when they tried to serve a warrant.

A neighbor named Nyla Rollins said they called for Robertson to come out. “And he’s like, ‘I’m not coming out,'” she says, indicating he swore at the agents. “And then I didn’t hear anything after that.”

Robinson said he couldn’t tell whether there was an exchange of gunfire between the FBI and the suspect. “I just heard the five shots.” She recounted that the SWAT team went through his back door with a battering ram.

An official complaint included a 2009 photo of Robertson wearing camouflage gear and holding a rifle in the woods. Authorities say it shows that he had the ability to conduct sniper tactics. The list of threats on his social media profiles were long, graphic, and detailed.

On X (formerly Twitter), author Josef Miyasato had this to say: “Craig was a member of my local Church congregation. I’ve known him for the past 3 years, give or take. Craig would always sit on the pew next to the chapel door. He was a regular face in the congregation. My wife and I loved him.” He explained that he was always friendly and kind at church, but that Miyasoto never interacted with him online and didn’t know how violent his rhetoric was. “The Facebook-ranting, assassination-threatening person that has been revealed was not the Craig I knew. To say he crossed the line into the ugly space of unprotected speech is accurate. And I wish Craig would have never behaved like this. His posts are disturbing to say the least.”

The morning of the incident, Provo PD issued this statement: “Yesterday the Provo Police Department became aware that the FBI intended to serve a federal arrest warrant in Provo this morning. We did not contribute any personnel to the team that went to the house to serve that warrant. After the agent involved shooting happened this morning, our involvement has been limited to supporting the FBI while they conduct a continuing investigation.”