In the wake of the dramatic July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the FBI has made significant strides in understanding the mindset of the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Despite this progress, they still haven't pinpointed a definitive motive behind the attack.
On a media call held Wednesday afternoon, FBI officials detailed the extensive measures taken in their investigation. They've interviewed nearly 1,000 individuals, executed numerous search warrants, issued dozens of subpoenas, and pored over hundreds of hours of video footage to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Here’s where things get particularly intriguing: investigators found that Crooks had been meticulously planning an attack for some time. His focus sharpened intensely when he learned about Trump’s rally, which he then saw as a prime opportunity. This "hyperfocus" turned the event into his chosen target.
Digging deeper, it was revealed that Crooks had made several online searches prior to the attack. On July 6, just a week before the incident, he looked up “How far was [Lee Harvey] Oswald from [John F.] Kennedy?” This wasn’t his only concerning query. He also searched “Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?” “Butler Farm Show podium,” and “Butler Farm Show photos.” In the month leading up to the attack, Crooks reportedly made over 60 searches related to both former President Trump and President Biden.
Investigators didn’t stop there. They scoured Crooks’ online activity back to 2019 and discovered multiple searches about explosive devices, including “How to make a bomb from fertilizer” and “How remote detonators work.” This broad search history points to a disturbing pattern of interest in violent methods and preparation.
A particularly chilling update from the FBI included a photo of an improvised explosive device (IED) discovered in Crooks' vehicle. The analysis of this device revealed that all its components were legally purchased and readily available online, highlighting the ease with which such items can be obtained.
The timeline of the attack has been clarified as well. Video footage from a local business shows that Crooks first ascended the roof of the AGR complex at 6:05 p.m. He then moved across several rooftops before opening fire at 6:11 p.m., spending six minutes on the rooftop before allegedly starting his shooting spree. The FBI reports that he was neutralized by a Secret Service countersniper shortly after.
These developments paint a detailed and unsettling picture of how a planned attack can unfold with terrifying precision. The investigation continues, as officials work to understand every aspect of Crooks’ intentions and how he was able to execute his plan. The scale of the investigation and the detailed analysis underscore the seriousness of the threat and the lengths to which law enforcement will go to protect public figures and ensure safety.
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