Man accused of threatening Biden shot and killed in FBI raid in Utah

August 9th, 2023

The complaint in United States District Court against Craig Deleeuw Robertson, featuring threatening online postings by Robertson, is photographed in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Robertson, an armed Utah man accused of making violent threats against President Joe Biden, was shot and killed by FBI agents hours before the president was expected to land in the state Wednesday, authorities say. The shooting happened as special agents tried to serve a warrant on the home of Craig Deleeuw Robertson in Provo, south of Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

A Utah man who was accused of making threats to President Biden was shot and killed in an FBI raid. The man also threatened New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg.

The FBI was investigating Craig Deleeuw Robertson, according to charging documents obtained by NPR. They stated that Robertson had “intent to kill, at a minimum, D.A. Bragg and President Joe Biden.”

Robertson allegedly said he needed to prepare his camouflage and sniper rifle in anticipation of Biden’s trip to Utah this week. Robertson also allegedly threatened to assassinate Bragg in a parking garage.

The White House confirmed that the president was briefed on the events, but referred specific questions to the FBI.

In a statement to NPR member station KUER in Salt Lake City, the FBI said it was “reviewing an agent-involved shooting which occurred around 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in Provo, Utah.”

The incident began, the statement said, “when special agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at a residence. The subject is deceased. The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously. 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 charging documents, obtained by NPR, said that Robertson mentioned many other politicians, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.