Following an FBI raid on his Utah home due to alleged threats of assassinating the president, neighbors are offering a glimpse into the life of the man at the center of the incident. Craig Robertson, 75, now known for the confrontation that ended tragically, was described as both a “decent guy” who took care of his blind son and someone who was “the type to sleep with a gun under his pillow.”
The events that unfolded during the FBI raid were described by witnesses as a “hail of bullets.” Robertson had reportedly pointed a gun at law enforcement during the incident, leading to a confrontation that ended with his body being found outside his Provo home, covered with a sheet.
Neighbors are expressing surprise and disbelief at the extreme response to the situation. Travis Clark, who lived on the same street as Robertson, couldn’t fathom the magnitude of the response, stating, “I just can’t believe that this man warranted that kind of response.”
Others have echoed these sentiments, particularly given Robertson’s appearance and demeanor. Described as a 300-pound Air Force veteran turned carpenter who often relied on a cane due to mobility issues, Robertson hardly fit the profile of someone who would provoke such an intense law enforcement operation.
Connor Bunch, a local resident, conveyed the neighborhood’s astonishment at the unfolding events. Just a day before President Biden’s visit to the state, Bunch portrayed Robertson as a “teddy bear” who looked after his blind son, Sean.
Bunch recounted how authorities had visited Robertson’s house the day prior to the raid but were turned away due to a lack of a warrant. He emphasized that Robertson wasn’t given a chance to see the warrant before the raid took place.
Amid the ongoing discussions about the incident, a federal complaint from the Utah US Attorney’s office has come to light. The complaint detailed threats made against President Biden and other prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris and Letitia James, among others. Robertson’s online posts mentioned preparing for Biden’s visit to Utah and even referenced his firearm.
Despite these online statements, neighbors consistently describe Robertson as a “well-liked” and “harmless” individual who attended church regularly and owned multiple firearms. Witnesses reported that after the confrontation, when six gunshots rang out, FBI agents began shouting, “Shots fired, shots fired. He’s got a gun!”
The incident has raised questions about the appropriate level of force in such situations and has left the community grappling with the unexpected outcome involving a man known to be grappling with health issues while caring for his son.