Trump shooter’s web searches and movements come under scrutiny as investigators search for a motive
CNN
Thomas Matthew Crooks visited the Donald Trump rally location twice, his cell phone contained images of both Trump and President Joe Biden, and the would-be assassin’s search history included dates of the Democratic National Convention as well as future Trump events, three US officials told CNN.
Thomas Matthew Crooks visited the Donald Trump rally location twice, his cell phone contained images of both Trump and President Joe Biden, and the would-be assassin’s search history included dates of the Democratic National Convention as well as future Trump events, three US officials told CNN. The new details revealed more about what Crooks was doing in the days and hours leading up to his attempt to assassinate the former president. But investigators combing through Crooks’ physical and digital trail still lack the key detail that would explain why the 20-year-old climbed the roof in Butler, Pennsylvania, with an AR-style weapon: a motive. Crooks also conducted searches online about major depression disorder, administration officials told Congress during briefings Wednesday. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, FBI Director Chris Wray and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate briefed the House and Senate by phone Wednesday on what law enforcement has learned so far about the shooting attack at the Trump rally. The officials said there is still not a clear motive for the assassination attempt, according to lawmakers. Abbate said in the briefings that the department has not found political or ideological information about the suspect at the shooter’s home. Lawmakers on the calls told CNN that the Secret Service and FBI officials provided new details on Crooks’ mental state and actions before he shot at Trump on Saturday, though many expressed dissatisfaction at what they were told to explain how Crooks was able to fire multiple shots at Trump.