FBI Unveils Fresh Information About Shooter Linked to Trump (PHOTOS)
US authorities asserted that Thomas Crooks acted alone and were unable to determine the motive behind his targeting of the Republican presidential candidate. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The man from Pennsylvania who attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump apparently acted alone, according to the FBI, which also reported that his reasons for doing so are still unknown.
Last month, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Crooks fired eight shots at Trump, grazing the candidate’s ear. The gunfire resulted in the death of one spectator and injuries to two others, before Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service.
“I want to be clear, we have not seen any indication to suggest Crooks was directed by a foreign entity to conduct the attack,” said Robert Wells, the FBI’s national security branch's executive assistant director, during a press briefing.
In a subsequent press conference, authorities displayed several items as evidence, including the rifle used by Crooks, his backpack, the explosives found in his car, and the air conditioner he climbed to gain access to the rooftop from where he fired the shots.
Wells further stated that the investigation has yet to uncover Crooks’ motive or identify any accomplices.
Following thorough investigations involving over 1,000 interviews and a review of Crooks’ online activities spanning five years, the FBI noted a variety of ideological influences. Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge at the Pittsburgh field office, reported, “We see no definitive ideology associated with our subject, either left-leaning or right-leaning,” as per the Washington Post.
According to the FBI, Crooks had been gathering information on both political parties' national conventions and details about Trump’s rally. He also began researching how to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as far back as 2019.
Two IEDs, initially described as pipe bombs but later clarified to be housed in ammunition box casings, were discovered in Crooks' vehicle. The devices were flawed in their construction and the remote detonation mechanism was deactivated.
The FBI declared that Crooks had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of death, based on the autopsy results, which also confirmed his death was caused by a gunshot to the head.
Earlier investigations revealed criticism of the FBI's handling of the crime scene in Butler, including rapidly clearing evidence and permitting the cremation of Crooks' body, which some argued could complicate efforts to independently confirm autopsy results.
Despite the controversies, Crooks' parents have hired a reputable law firm and have cooperated fully with the investigation, the FBI emphasized.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Last month, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Crooks fired eight shots at Trump, grazing the candidate’s ear. The gunfire resulted in the death of one spectator and injuries to two others, before Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service.
“I want to be clear, we have not seen any indication to suggest Crooks was directed by a foreign entity to conduct the attack,” said Robert Wells, the FBI’s national security branch's executive assistant director, during a press briefing.
In a subsequent press conference, authorities displayed several items as evidence, including the rifle used by Crooks, his backpack, the explosives found in his car, and the air conditioner he climbed to gain access to the rooftop from where he fired the shots.
Wells further stated that the investigation has yet to uncover Crooks’ motive or identify any accomplices.
Following thorough investigations involving over 1,000 interviews and a review of Crooks’ online activities spanning five years, the FBI noted a variety of ideological influences. Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge at the Pittsburgh field office, reported, “We see no definitive ideology associated with our subject, either left-leaning or right-leaning,” as per the Washington Post.
According to the FBI, Crooks had been gathering information on both political parties' national conventions and details about Trump’s rally. He also began researching how to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as far back as 2019.
Two IEDs, initially described as pipe bombs but later clarified to be housed in ammunition box casings, were discovered in Crooks' vehicle. The devices were flawed in their construction and the remote detonation mechanism was deactivated.
The FBI declared that Crooks had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of death, based on the autopsy results, which also confirmed his death was caused by a gunshot to the head.
Earlier investigations revealed criticism of the FBI's handling of the crime scene in Butler, including rapidly clearing evidence and permitting the cremation of Crooks' body, which some argued could complicate efforts to independently confirm autopsy results.
Despite the controversies, Crooks' parents have hired a reputable law firm and have cooperated fully with the investigation, the FBI emphasized.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
