29-8-2024 (WASHINGTON) The FBI has disclosed that the individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump had engaged in a “sustained, detailed effort” to plan an attack on various major events prior to focussing on the Republican presidential candidate at a rally in Pennsylvania this July.
According to FBI officials, Thomas Crooks, 20, conducted over 60 online searches related to Trump and his then-opponent, Democratic President Joe Biden, before registering for the rally held in early July. Kevin Rojek, the FBI’s leading official in western Pennsylvania, stated during a telephone briefing, “We observed a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on several events, indicating he considered a multitude of targets.”
Rojek noted that Crooks became “hyper-focused” on the rally once it was announced, perceiving it as a “target of opportunity.”
While the FBI is still investigating the motivations behind Crooks’ actions, Rojek shared that his online activities reflected a mixture of ideologies without definitively pointing to a specific political bias. “We have not found any evidence to suggest that Crooks collaborated with others or was influenced by foreign entities,” he added.
No traces of illegal substances or alcohol were detected in Crooks’ system at the time of the incident.
The assassination attempt has raised significant concerns regarding security protocols, particularly after Crooks managed to scale a nearby building and fire eight shots at Trump before being neutralised by a Secret Service sharpshooter. This incident has prompted multiple congressional and governmental inquiries into the adequacy of security measures in place.
As the FBI continues its investigation into Crooks, officials have begun to gain insights into his mindset, albeit without a clear understanding of his motivations. Reports indicate that Crooks had been searching for Trump’s campaign events as early as September 2023 and began his research into both candidates’ events in April, focusing on locations in his vicinity in western Pennsylvania.
In the lead-up to the rally on July 13, Crooks sought detailed information about the venue, including the specifics of Trump’s speaking arrangements and the company that owned a nearby building from which he would ultimately fire his shots — one of which grazed Trump’s ear. Video footage reveals that Crooks was present on the roof for approximately six minutes.
Additionally, Crooks had left several explosive devices in his vehicle and had been searching for information on bomb-making components since 2019, further complicating the investigation into his actions and intentions.
