WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has agreed to be interviewed by the FBI as part of an investigation into an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania earlier this month. The FBI revealed that prior to the shooting, the gunman had researched mass attacks and explosive devices.
The expected interview with Trump, who was struck in the ear by a bullet during the assassination attempt, is part of the FBI’s standard protocol to speak with victims during criminal investigations. The FBI has interviewed over 450 people to gather information about the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was described as a “highly intelligent” but reclusive 20-year-old.
Crooks’ parents have been fully cooperative with the investigation, stating they had no prior knowledge of the shooting. The FBI has not yet determined a clear motive for Crooks targeting Trump, but they believe the shooting was the result of extensive planning, including the purchase of chemical precursors used in explosive devices found in Crooks’ car and home.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Crooks visited a shooting range and practiced with the gun he later used in the attack. Authorities found three explosive devices – two in Crooks’ car and one in his home. Fortunately, the devices in the car did not explode due to the receivers being turned off.
New details are emerging about security lapses and missed communications that occurred before the shooting. Text messages from members of the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit revealed how officers communicated about a suspicious individual, who turned out to be Crooks, lurking around before the shooting.
The assassination attempt took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in one casualty and two injuries. The Secret Service counter-sniper shot and killed Crooks during the incident. Investigations are ongoing, with the FBI piecing together the events leading up to the attempted assassination to understand the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack.