FBI Releases First Photos Of Thomas Crooks' Firearms Used In Donald Trump Assassination Attempt

The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) provided new insights on Wednesday regarding the 20-year-old accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

Despite extensive investigation, the US security agency has yet to determine a clear motive for Thomas Matthew Crooks’ actions. Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, stated that Crooks had engaged in a “sustained detailed effort to plan an attack” on various events, becoming particularly focused on the Trump rally once it was announced in early July.

‘A target of opportunity’

“When this event was announced, he looked at it as a target of opportunity,” Rojek explained. The investigation revealed that Crooks conducted over 60 online searches related to both Trump and US President Joe Biden in the month leading up to the attack.

Notably, he registered to attend the rally on July 6 and searched for specific details about the event, including the location of Trump’s speaking podium and historical references to assassinations. Rojek noted, “The subject searched for, ‘How far was Oswald from Kennedy?’ and ‘Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?’”

On the day of the rally, Crooks was seen outside the event perimeter and was later spotted climbing the roof of a nearby building, where he opened fire. He was neutralised by a US Secret Service sniper after firing eight shots, injuring Trump and killing one attendee.

Flew Drone

Rojek confirmed that Crooks was on the roof for only six minutes before the shooting, and he dismissed rumors of a second shooter. Crooks also flew a drone for 11 minutes earlier that day, which the FBI believes may have been used to assess security at the rally. “We will never be able to determine the exact motivation for why the subject flew the drone,” Rojek said.

The FBI’s investigation has included nearly 1,000 interviews and extensive analysis of Crooks’ online activity, but they have found no credible evidence of co-conspirators or a defined political ideology behind his actions. Rojek emphasised that the investigation is focused on Crooks’ actions rather than those of law enforcement or the Secret Service during the rally.