George Zinn, arrested on suspicion of obstruction after Charlie Kirk shooting, is widely known Utah political ‘gadfly’

Law enforcement said Zinn, 71, did not match the description of the shooter.

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(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) George Zinn, right, shares a moment with former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes, second from left, at Hughes' 2020 announcement of his run for governor. Hughes remarked on Zinn's penchant for showing up at all manner of political events.

By Paighten Harkins and Sean P. Means
| Sep. 10, 2025, 7:03 p.m.
| Updated: Sep. 11, 2025, 1:09 a.m.

Images rapidly circulated online Wednesday showing police escorting an older man away after the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk — and many Utahns recognized him as occasionally ubiquitous activist George Zinn, 71.

Utah state law enforcement officials late Wednesday said he was taken into custody on suspicion of obstruction of justice and ultimately released. Another person was also detained in connection with the shooting but was later released as well after law enforcement interrogation, Utah Department of Public Safety confirmed in a news release. … “There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter,” according to the release.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s attempts to reach Zinn were unsuccessful. Attorneys who represented Zinn in misdemeanor cases earlier this year also did not respond to requests for comment.

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(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) George Zinn attends Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s State of the County address in West Jordan on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Zinn is known for showing up — and occasionally disrupting or being arrested at — events ranging from political speeches to the Sundance Film Festival to various protests. He holds the distinction of being the first person thrown out by security at the swanky City Creek Center mall when it first opened in downtown Salt Lake City in March 2012.

In one widely shared video from the Orem campus, a uniformed officer and men in plainclothes are holding Zinn’s arms and moving him away from the scene. At one point, his pants fell and bunched around his ankles, revealing his boxer shorts. Spectators were yelling at Zinn, with one repeating “How dare you?” … Near the end of the video, one uniformed officer is heard saying, “He said he shot him, but I don’t know.”

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