Crooks was also searching online for explosive devices, including “detonating cord,” “blasting cap,” “how to make a bomb from fertilizer,” and “how do remote detonators work,” with these searches starting as early as September 2019.
The FBI has released more information about its investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, USA Today reported Wednesday after receiving an update in a conference call briefing from the bureau.
The FBI has done an analysis of Thomas Crooks' online search history that revealed the would-be assassin demonstrated "detailed attack planning" well before the Butler, PA rally where Trump was shot. Kevin Rojek, a special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, said the FBI's analysis into Crooks’ activities provided "valuable insight into his mindset, but not a definitive motive."
Rojek told reporters that Crooks was searching for campaign events for both Trump and Biden. Crooks was also searching online for explosive devices, including "detonating cord," "blasting cap," "how to make a bomb from fertilizer," and "how do remote detonators work," with these searches starting as early as September 2019. Crooks also conducted searches for ammonium nitrate, nitromethane, and other materials consistent with manufacturing explosive devices.
The bureau released the first photos of the semi-automatic DPMS DR-15 rifle used by Crooks in the shooting, as well as the black backpack recovered onsite with orange and white accents. “Thomas Crooks’ rifle broken down as was likely done for transport and the backpack recovered onsite,” reads one caption.
Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBI's national security branch, confirmed on the conference call that the FBI has not found a motive for the shooting nor has it found any co-conspirators who might have known about the the assassination attempt.
"And I want to be clear, we have not seen any indication to suggest Crooks was directed by a foreign entity to conduct the attack," Wells added.
Although Crooks missed the fatal shot against Trump, striking only the GOP nominee’s ear, some in the audience were hit, with Corey Comperatore being killed as he shielded his wife and daughters from the bullets. Two other men were severely wounded but lived.
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