The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed new details about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, which occurred last month at a Republican rally in Pennsylvania. The agency confirmed that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, acted alone, with no evidence of foreign involvement.
The FBI’s investigation provided new insights into Crooks’ actions leading up to the event. A detailed examination of his search history revealed a year-long obsession with the 2024 presidential candidates, including Trump and his Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden.
Over the months, Crooks conducted more than 60 searches related to the two political figures. His interest intensified as the election year progressed, culminating in his attendance at the Trump rally, where he carried out his violent plan.
In addition to the rifle used in the attack, investigators discovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Crooks’ vehicle, suggesting he might have been prepared for a more extensive act of violence. Despite the extensive investigation, the FBI has yet to determine a clear motive for the assassination attempt.
The attempted assassination occurred on July 13, 2024, as the Former President Donald Trump was addressing a large crowd. Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire from the roof of a nearby manufacturing plant using an AR-15-style rifle. The location was carefully selected, giving Crooks a clear line of sight to the stage from about 130 yards away.
Although Trump narrowly escaped serious injury, with a bullet grazing his ear, the incident tragically resulted in the death of one civilian and left two others severely injured. The US Secret Service agents quickly intervened, protecting Trump and preventing further casualties. Crooks was shot and killed on the spot by the Secret Service Counter Sniper Team.
