Provo: Hours before President Joe Biden's Wednesday arrival in the state, FBI agents shot and killed an armed Utah man who was allegedly making violent threats against the vice president.

At 6:15 a.m., a shooting occurred while special agents were attempting to serve a warrant at Craig Deleeuw Robertson's Provo, Utah, home, according to a statement from the FBI.

According to two law enforcement sources who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity to discuss specifics of an ongoing investigation, Robertson was carrying a weapon at the time of the shooting.

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Following months of graphic online threats against a number of public figures, Robertson wrote on Monday that he had heard that Biden was visiting Utah and that he intended to get out a camouflage suit and start "cleaning the dust off the M24 sniper rifle."

This statement was made in response to court documents. Robertson identified himself as a "MAGA Trumper," alluding to the slogan "Make America Great Again" used by the late president, and he also posted threats against high-ranking law enforcement officers in charge of the cases against Trump.

Neighbours described Robertson as a frail, elderly man who needed a hand-carved stick to help him walk. His online profile listed his age as 74. Despite frequently carrying a gun, they claimed he didn't pose a threat.

Andrew Maunder, a neighbour, said in front of the church across from Robertson's street, "There's no way that he was driving from here to Salt Lake City, setting up a rifle and taking a shot at the president — 100 percent no way."

Prior to visiting a Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs hospital on Thursday to discuss the PACT Act, which increased benefits for veterans, Biden flew to Utah on Wednesday. He also intended to host a fundraiser for his reelection. Biden was briefed after the raid, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation.

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According to investigators' testimony in court documents, Robertson's posts showed he did indeed appear to possess a long-range sniper rifle, a number of other weapons, as well as "ghillie suit"-style camouflage clothing. According to court documents, Robertson was charged under seal on Tuesday with three felonies, including making threats against the president and FBI agents who were looking into him.

Authorities claim Robertson also threatened Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, US Attorney General Merrick Garland, and New York Attorney General Letitia James on social media. Robertson also made references to a "presidential assassination" in his threats.

The time is right for one or more assassinations of presidents. Authorities claim Robertson wrote in a September 2022 Facebook post that was included in the filings, "First Joe then Kamala!!!" Robertson's family members could not be immediately reached for comment at the publicly available phone numbers, and no attorney was immediately listed for Robertson in court documents.

In March, after Robertson posted about "waiting in the courthouse parking garage" with a suppressed weapon and wanting to "put a nice hole in his forehead," Trump's own social media platform Truth Social received a tip about the Bragg threat. Since then, the platform has suspended access to his account.

The shooting is being investigated by the FBI, but no additional information was made available right away.

Law enforcement were seen Wednesday entering and exiting the Provo home where the alleged altercation took place and which is linked to Robertson via public records.
Next to the door, a broken window could be seen, and the interior's blinds were awry.

Police had blocked the road that led to the house. It is right next to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house, with the Wasatch Mountains rising in the distance. Authorities reportedly arrived near Robertson's home early on Wednesday, according to neighbours, who also reported hearing a boom and possibly gunshots.

Travis Lee Clark, who has worked at their church ward together and has known Robertson for years, described Robertson as being "frail of health," a skilled woodworker, and a "established icon" in their community. Clark, who was perplexed that Robertson was regarded as a serious threat, observed that Robertson supported himself on a walking stick he had carved out of wood.

Clark remarked, "He was a boomer, and he was very political, and sometimes he made off-color jokes... but nothing that indicated it was a threat," adding that he hadn't seen Robertson's Facebook posts until after his passing.
Clark estimated that Robertson had a collection of 20 guns, though he added that this wasn't out of the ordinary for the region.

Businessman Paul Searing, who formerly resided in Provo before moving to the nearby town of Orem, claimed to have followed Robertson online for years and even warned him when he thought the other man was posting things that were inappropriate.

"He supported his right to keep and bear arms. He had faith in his ability to express his feelings. When all was said and done, he was aware that the Lord would not have permitted the killing of innocent people, Searing said. "Things got out of hand because he was just so frustrated," the author said.

Following the initial warning about Robertson from Truth Social in March, two FBI agents allegedly visited his home. They discovered Robertson sporting a Trump cap and what was described as a "AR-15 style rifle lapel pin" in the search warrant affidavit.

He allegedly told them his initial threat was just "a dream" and insisted they only come back with a warrant, according to the affidavit. Days later, he wrote on Facebook something that was cited in the affidavit: "To my friends in the Federal Bureau of Idiots: I know you're reading this and you have no idea how close your agents came to 'violent eradication.'"

Robertson stated in a different undated social media post that was referenced in the document: "Hey FBI, you still watching my social media? I want to make sure I have a loaded gun ready in case you come by again. The SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks online extremism, uncovered a post from July 21 that states, "If I really told you what I'd like to do to Joe Biden Facebook would censor me and the FBI would pay me another visit."

The social media posts attributed to Robertson, according to Rita Katz, SITE's co-founder, highlight the difficulties facing law enforcement officials trying to determine when speech becomes a real threat.

It can be very challenging to distinguish between what is permitted and what is not because you have the freedom of speech, she said.

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According to state records, Robertson operated a custom woodworking business but failed to renew his licence after it ran out last year. Robertson claimed on LinkedIn to have spent 45 years as a structural steel and welding inspector before retiring and launching his own company. He claimed to have a speciality in 'custom designs'.

In 1998, according to state court records, Robertson entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct, but it was not immediately clear what the charges were.

While on a trip to the West Coast, Biden recently travelled to Salt Lake City after spending Wednesday in New Mexico, where he gave a speech at a factory that will make wind towers.