Trump assassination attempt: FBI releases pics of shooter Thomas Crooks’ firearms

Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, detailed how the shooter observed Trump in the Pennsylvania rally and made him a “target of opportunity”.

The #FBI remains steadfast in investigating the details surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

For the latest updates and resources, visit https://t.co/Wlj2JcGIoH pic.twitter.com/NEHPvy7PaG

— FBI (@FBI) August 28, 2024

“We saw through our analysis of all his – particularly his online searches – a sustained detailed effort to plan an attack on some events, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets,” Rojek said as quoted by the CNN.

He further added that “And then, when this event was announced, the Trump rally was announced, early in July, he became hyper-focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity.”

The rifle which was confiscated by shooter Crook had Make: DPMS – Panther Arms, Model: A-15, Caliber: 5.56x45mm/.223 Remington Semiautomatic. The attachments with the rifle included Atlas R-One, Aero Precision – Picatinny rail, AEMS optics attached to rail, Magpul collapsible stock, the FBI informed.

The car trunk of Crooks had two improvised explosive devices and the FBI said, “The receiver for remote detonation was in the “off” position; devices had several problems in the way they were constructed.”

One person died in the shootout which occurred on July 13 in Pennsylvania while Trump was hit in the ear and started bleeding but survived the incident.