The FBI has released new information about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, shedding light on the planning and research carried out by the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old assailant was killed by a Secret Service sniper after he opened fire from a nearby rooftop during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month.
During a briefing with journalists on Wednesday, Kevin Rojek, the special agent leading the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, revealed that Crooks had conducted extensive online searches related to both former President Trump and current President Joe Biden. Rojek described the Pennsylvania rally on July 13, where Crooks initiated the attack, as a "target of opportunity."
The FBI investigation found that in the month leading up to the shooting, Crooks searched numerous events involving both Trump and Biden. His digital footprint indicated a deep interest in committing an act of violence, with online searches about explosive devices dating back to 2019. Some of these searches included phrases such as “how to make a bomb from fertilizer” and “how do remote detonators work.” Following the shooting, two explosive devices with remote detonation capabilities were discovered in Crooks's car. The materials used to build them were legally accessible and could be easily obtained online, Rojek noted.
Crooks meticulously prepared for the attack by gathering specific details about the rally where Trump would be speaking. He acquired photographs of the area and information about weather conditions for the day of the event. "When the Trump rally was announced, early in July, he became hyper-focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity,” Rojek explained.
Despite conducting nearly 1,000 interviews, the FBI has yet to identify a clear motive for the attack. No evidence has surfaced to suggest Crooks had accomplices or that anyone else was aware of his plans. However, the investigation is still ongoing, and FBI officials continue to analyze a cache of social media posts that express antisemitic and anti-immigration sentiments, which may indicate extremist or politically violent views. Rojek stated that they are working to confirm whether Crooks was the author of these posts.
“We have a clear idea of mindset,” Rojek said, “but we are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time.”
While Crooks's political affiliations remain unclear, some details have emerged. He made a small political donation to the Progressive Turnout Project, an organization that supports Democrats, before he was even old enough to vote. However, shortly after turning 18, he registered as a Republican. His conflicting political actions have left investigators uncertain about his beliefs or partisan stance at the time of the attack.
As the investigation continues, the FBI is striving to piece together Crooks's motives and the extent of his intentions, which appear to have involved both the former and current presidents. The agency remains focused on understanding the full scope of the plot and whether any larger threats are connected to it.
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