The FBI has offered new details on the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
Special Agent Kevin Rojek of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the progress in the agency’s investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks and his attack on the Republican presidential nominee in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The FBI continues to work diligently to determine the subject’s motive,” said Rojek. “We believe the subject engaged in detailed attack planning well in advance of the campaign rally. The American people deserve answers, and the FBI stands committed to providing them.”
“Extensive analysis of the subject’s online search history, as well as his specific online activity, has provided us valuable insight into his mindset, but not a definitive motive,” the agent continued. “Regarding co-conspirators: to date, we have not uncovered any credible evidence indicating the subject conspired with anyone else.”
While Rojek noted the 20-year-old was “hyper-focused” on Trump, the agent maintained that Crooks had “no identifiable political ideology,” per Fox News.
The July 13 shooting shocked Americans. Trump was struck in the ear while addressing his supporters at the rally. Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter who was seated in the bleachers behind Trump, was shot in the head and died. Two other men – James Copenhaver and David Dutch — were critically injured. They were both hospitalized but are expected to survive.
In his presentation to the media, Rojek confirmed that a “digital evidence review” proved Crooks was “near the farm show air strip, walking past a row of vendors outside the secure perimeter” at 4:26 p.m. and that “video obtained from a local business” caught Crooks climbing onto the roof of the AGR International building at 6:05 p.m.
“Our overall finding is the subject was only on the roof for approximately 6 minutes, prior to the shooting, between 6:05 and 6:11 p.m.,” said Rojek. The agent also confirmed that Crooks fired eight rounds before being “neutralized.”
Crooks died from a single gunshot wound to the head that was fired by a Secret Service sniper at the Pennsylvania rally. A toxicology report indicated he was negative “for alcohol and drugs of abuse.”
In addition to the autopsy and the timeline, Rojek discussed the agency’s analysis of Crooks’ online activity.
“Searches conducted between 2019 and 2024 provided extensive insight into the subject’s mindset and specific research he conducted in preparation for the attack,” noted the FBI agent.
Crooks searched for Trump’s campaign schedule and Pennsylvania tour stops in September of 2023. He also searched for Trump’s campaign events and potential Pennsylvania appearances between April of 2024 and July 12. The FBI noted that during the same period he researched President Joe Biden’s campaign as well as the terms “when is the DNC convention” and “when is the RNC in 2024.”
Additionally, Crooks registered to attend Trump’s rally on July 6 and the searched “how far was Oswald from Kennedy,” “where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show,” “Butler Farm Show podium,” and “Butler Farm Show photos.”
Rojek confirmed “two improvised explosive devices [were] located in the shooter’s vehicle as well as the device found in his bedroom.” According to the FBI, Crooks began searching for information related to explosive devices in September of 2019 and continued until his July attack.
The agency released photos of the IEDs found in the attacker’s car as well as a photo of his weapon.
Rojek also said the agency was able to access Crooks’ encrypted email accounts and “appropriately analyzed their content.”
