On Monday, FBI investigators announced that they have successfully unlocked the cellphone of the 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. With the help of an FBI technical specialist, the contents of suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone have been accessed, allowing investigators to examine its contents. The primary objective of this analysis is to determine the motive behind the shooting, which resulted in the death of one rally attendee and injured two others. It is yet to be revealed if any significant leads or information regarding the suspect’s motivations have been discovered during the ongoing analysis at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.
FBI officials have confirmed that a thorough search of the suspect’s vehicle and home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania has been concluded. The location is approximately 53 miles south of where the campaign event took place in Butler Township on Saturday. The search yielded the discovery of two improvised explosive devices in the suspect’s car, as well as one in his residence, according to a bulletin issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
The bulletin also stated that the suspect, Crooks, had received several packages in recent months, some of which were marked as potentially containing hazardous material, based on a review of his shipping history.
Additionally, the bulletin revealed that Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun shop in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, prior to attending the rally on the day of the shooting. However, the specific shop mentioned in the bulletin was not identified.
Both agencies emphasized the possibility of others being influenced to engage in similar acts of violence.
“We cannot dismiss the possibility that some individuals or groups, including domestic violent extremists (DVEs), may try to carry out further acts of violence or seek revenge in response to this assassination attempt,” the bulletin stated.
According to a reliable source, on the day of the shooting, Crooks asked his father if he could borrow his AR-15-style rifle, claiming he wanted to go to a shooting range. The father, who had previously allowed Crooks to use the semiautomatic firearm for target shooting, didn’t find it suspicious and agreed to lend it to him again on Saturday.
Investigators have confirmed that Crooks used the borrowed rifle in the attempted assassination of Trump. The same source also revealed that Crooks recently bought ammunition both online and in-person.
Law enforcement authorities have also been visiting local gun shops in Pittsburgh to gather information about Crooks’ ammunition purchasing habits, both in-store and online. One of the shops they have visited is Allegheny Arms & Gun Works, which is located approximately a mile away from the Crooks’ residence.
In response to the investigation, Allegheny Arms released a statement to ABC News, expressing their commitment to cooperating with law enforcement. They also expressed gratitude that President Trump was unharmed and extended their sympathies to all the victims of the incident. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and those affected, they have chosen not to provide any further comments.
According to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), their investigators have conducted nearly 100 interviews with law enforcement personnel, event attendees, and other witnesses. Their goal is to uncover the details of what occurred at the rally.
According to a statement from the FBI, they have received numerous digital media tips, including photos and videos taken at the scene, and they are currently reviewing incoming tips.
Authorities are focusing on the suspected gunman’s motives and whether he had any assistance in the attempted assassination of the former president. President Joe Biden, in his address to the nation, stated that it is still unclear what prompted the suspect, named Crooks, to carry out such a bold attack in broad daylight. Biden also mentioned that law enforcement professionals are currently investigating the suspect’s opinions, affiliations, and any potential communications with others.
During an outdoor rally on Saturday afternoon, about 10 minutes into his speech, shots were fired, causing panic and screams. Former President Trump was injured in his right ear and quickly took cover on the ground while being protected by Secret Service agents, as stated by the FBI in a late Sunday statement.
Tragically, a bystander named Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old local volunteer firefighter, lost his life while trying to shield his family from the gunfire. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro praised Comperatore as a hero. Additionally, two other rally attendees were shot and identified as 57-year-old David Dutch from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver from Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
According to the statement from the FBI, they are currently investigating the shooter’s actions and trying to determine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. They are collecting and reviewing evidence, conducting interviews, and following up on all leads to establish a motive. Officials have revealed that the building where the suspect fired from was located just outside the security perimeter and was less than 400 feet away from the podium where Trump was speaking. Law enforcement sources have also mentioned that investigators are retracing the suspect’s steps to understand how they managed to get onto the roof, which had been thoroughly checked before the event.
Witnesses in the crowd tried to alert Secret Service agents to the armed suspect just moments before the shooting occurred. A police officer from Butler Township climbed onto the roof and attempted to confront the gunman, but the suspect turned his weapon towards the officer, causing him to retreat. Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe was informed of this encounter by other law enforcement officials.
After being interrupted by the officer, the suspect proceeded to shoot in the direction of Trump. However, at that exact moment, Trump turned his head to look at a Jumbotron, potentially saving his life.
The gunman was swiftly shot and killed by one of the four Secret Service counter snipers positioned on rooftops around the rally.
The FBI is currently leading the investigation into the shooting.
FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned the assassination attempt on Trump, stating that it was an attack on democracy and the democratic process.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the U.S. Secret Service, expressed concern that the 20-year-old gunman should never have had a clear shot at the former president. In an interview on “Good Morning America,” Mayorkas emphasized that such a direct line of sight to the former president should not have been possible.
According to Mayorkas, an independent investigation into the motive of the alleged gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who approached the stage where Trump was speaking from the roof of an agriculture building, is already underway. The Secret Service neutralized the assailant, and the investigation aims to gather all relevant information to make recommendations for enhancing the safety and security of protected individuals, a crucial mission of the Secret Service.
Mayorkas emphasized the need for an external entity, separate from the Department of Homeland Security, to ensure the credibility of the investigation process and the trust of the government and the American people. He also assured transparency in sharing the findings and recommendations of the independent review.
Following the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden pledged to conduct an independent investigation and promised that the results would be publicly disclosed.
In the interview, Mayorkas refuted the unfounded claim that the Secret Service had denied requests for additional resources for Trump’s security detail, labeling it as untrue.
“We closely monitor a constantly changing threat environment. Both the president and the former president are frequently targeted with threats,” stated Mayorkas. “We take every threat seriously and make necessary security adjustments. Since June, we have increased security measures for the former president. Contrary to false claims, we have not rejected any requests for additional security measures.”
In addition, President Biden has instructed the Secret Service to review security plans for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which is set to begin on Monday. Mayorkas expressed confidence in the security plan for the event.
The FBI, led by the Pittsburgh Field Office, has conducted searches at Crook’s residence in Bethel Park, a suburb of Pittsburgh. They have also searched his vehicle, which was present at the shooting scene in Butler. Suspicious devices were discovered in both locations, according to the FBI.
Biden urges Americans to reduce political tensions following Trump assassination attempt. The FBI has safely neutralized suspicious devices found at the locations. The AR-15-style rifle used by the suspect was legally purchased by their father in 2013. The family is cooperating with authorities. The shooter’s phone is currently under investigation. The FBI has not yet determined any specific ideology associated with the subject. The Secret Service director emphasizes the need to uncover the truth behind the incident.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle emphasized the agency’s focus on determining how the gunman was able to get a clear shot at Trump in a statement issued on Monday. She expressed confidence in the Secret Service’s security plan for the RNC and emphasized their collaboration with other federal, state, and local agencies to understand and prevent such incidents in the future. Cheatle acknowledged the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden and assured full participation. She has maintained constant communication with Secret Service personnel in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt. The FBI has taken charge of the investigation, and Cheatle has also been coordinating with the protective detail for former President Trump, briefing President Biden on the incident’s details.
Cheatle expressed that the recent assassination attempt on Trump has raised concerns about the security arrangements at the RNC. She mentioned that the Secret Service has made changes to Trump’s security detail following the incident, to ensure his safety throughout the convention and campaign.
Cheatle stated that she has confidence in the security plan implemented by the Secret Service RNC coordinator and their partners. She emphasized that these plans are designed to be adaptable and will be continuously adjusted as needed, in line with the president’s instructions. This is to ensure the utmost safety and security for all convention attendees, volunteers, and the city of Milwaukee.
New information regarding the investigation into the Trump assassination attempt has been revealed. This news was first reported on abcnews.go.com.