Crime
Who is George Hodgson Zinn? Charlie Kirk shooting person of interest in custody
OREM, Utah — Questions continue to circulate about the role of George Hodgson Zinn, who was briefly detained in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz confirmed Wednesday night that Kirk, 30, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, died after being shot while delivering remarks during a campus speaking engagement.
While Zinn was identified on social media as a possible suspect, others have defended him, noting that although he has a reputation locally as a troublemaker, he was reportedly standing near police officers at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses reported that the actual shooter appeared to have been positioned roughly 200 meters away from the venue.
Authorities confirmed that Zinn was taken into custody after video footage showed him being handcuffed at the scene.
However, officials have since clarified that he was not involved in the shooting and has been cleared of suspicion. He remains categorized as a “person of interest” while investigators verify all accounts.
Law enforcement sources also disclosed that, shortly before the attack, an unidentified individual was seen on a rooftop near the building.
Authorities are working to determine whether that sighting is linked to the gunfire.
The FBI has stated that the suspected shooter is in custody, though no official identification or motive has yet been released.
The incident initially generated confusion. Utah Valley University spokesperson Scott Trotter stated earlier in the day that “Mr. Kirk was shot, but we don’t know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating. Campus is closed for the rest of the day.” That preliminary announcement came before Kirk’s death was confirmed publicly.
The shooting caused panic across the campus community. Viral videos captured the immediate aftermath, showing attendees rushing for safety as police and campus security converged on the area.
The attack has prompted strong national reactions. Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote on social media, “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.” Vice President JD Vance also shared, “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
University officials announced the campus will remain closed until further notice as the investigation continues.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant but emphasized that there is no evidence of an ongoing threat.
Charlie Kirk was a nationally recognized conservative commentator and activist, best known for founding Turning Point USA, a student organization advocating for conservative values on college campuses nationwide.
Officials say additional details, including the identity of the shooter and findings from the ongoing investigation, will be released in the coming days.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.