An attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
The gunman, Thomas Crooks, was heavily prepared, evading law enforcement and opening fire, resulting in Trump being shot in the ear and three other casualties.
NBC News reported that according to the FBI, Crooks arrived in Butler for the first time on July 5, a full eight days before Trump's campaign rally. His search history shows that on July 6, he looked up the distance from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy. This same day, Crooks registered to attend Trump's rally.
On the day of the rally, Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition. At around 4 p.m., he flew a drone roughly 200 yards away from the main stage. Two hours later, witnesses reported seeing a suspicious individual on the roof of a nearby building.
Later, Crooks opened fire, aiming at Trump and resulting in the former president being shot in the ear. Three other people were injured in the incident. The gunman had a weapon with a collapsible stock, which made it easier to hide and transport.
The FBI is still piecing together Crooks' motive. FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted Crooks' fascination with prominent individuals and his focus on Trump in the week leading up to the rally.
"We still have not determined his motive, and it has been frustrating that the investigation has not yielded significant clues," Wray mentioned.
Details about Crooks' preparation include his visit to a shooting range on July 12, where he likely practiced with the same AR-style rifle used in the rally attack.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris stated that law enforcement identified Crooks as suspicious earlier because he was loitering near the rally site without trying to enter and was observed carrying a rangefinder.
"The officer saw Crooks from a second-story window and went to investigate," Paris explained.
Seconds before the shooting began, Crooks was not considered an actual threat. Once the officer spotted him, Crooks pointed his weapon, causing the officer to fall, and immediately began shooting at Trump.
FBI Director Wray also mentioned that Crooks had a drone controller and two explosive devices in his vehicle, though it appears the remote detonation option would not have worked. Additionally, eight bullet cartridges were retrieved from the rooftop where Crooks was found.
A bloodied receipt for a 5-foot ladder was discovered on Crooks, but the ladder itself was not at the scene.
This suggests meticulous planning on Crooks' part, even purchasing specific items for his attack.
Crooks' extensive planning and execution raise concerns about the security measures in place for such events.
The incident also underscores the importance of thorough preparation and vigilance by law enforcement agencies.
Rep. Jim Jordan emphasized the need for a detailed play-by-play of the incident. "We need to know play-by-play, moment-by-moment, second-by-second," Jordan stressed during a recent hearing.
The FBI's ongoing investigation into Crooks' motive will be crucial to understanding his actions and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Thomas Crooks, who had no criminal record, was noted to be an avid shooting hobbyist. Wray confirmed this, noting that Crooks frequented shooting ranges, likely with the same firearm used in the attack.
The attack on former President Donald Trump, while alarming, highlights the need for stringent security measures for public figures. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies continue to gather clues to unravel Crooks' motives and prevent such threats in the future.
