The FBI has unveiled new details about the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, spent months meticulously planning an attack on a major event before settling on the Trump rally as a ‘target of opportunity,’ according to Kevin Rojek, the FBI’s top official in western Pennsylvania.FBI officials disclosed that Crooks conducted extensive research, making over 60 searches for information about both Trump and President Joe Biden in the 30 days leading up to the attack. ‘We saw… a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some events, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets,’ Rojek stated.Despite conducting nearly 1,000 interviews, the FBI has yet to determine a clear motive for the assassination attempt. Investigators found explosive devices in Crooks’ car and home, and his internet history showed searches for bomb-making materials dating back to 2019. The FBI has released images of the rifle used in the attack, identified as an AR model from DPMS Panther Arms, along with a backpack and explosives found in Crooks’ car.The investigation has revealed that Crooks’ online activity indicated an interest in a mix of ideologies, but did not definitively show that he was motivated by a particular left- or right-wing viewpoint. ‘We have a clear idea of mindset, but we are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time,’ Rojek said.The assassination attempt has prompted questions about security measures, with several congressional and government probes examining the event’s security. The FBI continues to investigate whether Crooks acted alone or had any accomplices, though no evidence of foreign involvement has been found.
Key points
- The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, spent months planning the attack, conducting over 60 searches about Trump and Biden events.
- FBI has not determined a clear motive despite extensive investigation, including nearly 1,000 interviews.
- Explosive devices were found in Crooks’ car and home, with internet searches for bomb-making materials dating back to 2019.
- The FBI released images of the weapons used, including an AR model rifle from DPMS Panther Arms.
- The investigation has prompted questions about security measures at political events.
Contradictions👾There are discrepancies in the spelling of the gunman’s name across different sources, appearing as Crooks, Crutchley, and McVieh.
👾Some sources report the event as occurring on July 13, while others state July 14.
