NewsAttempt on Trump: FBI probes motives of assailant Thomas Crooks

Attempt on Trump: FBI probes motives of assailant Thomas Crooks

The services are trying to answer the question of what guided the attacker.
The services are trying to answer the question of what guided the attacker.
Images source: © Getty Images | Anna Moneymaker
Ewa Sas

29 August 2024 20:33

There is still information emerging about the cause and circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. It is already known that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who pulled the trigger, had previously searched for information about events involving both Trump and Joe Biden. However, the FBI has gathered even more information about him.

The motives behind Thomas Matthew Crooks' actions have yet to be determined. He was killed by Secret Service agents immediately after the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

As investigators mentioned previously, Crooks, before attending Trump's election rally where he fired shots at the Republican presidential candidate, had been searching online for information about large events involving both Trump and Joe Biden. He reportedly believed that Trump's election rally in Pennsylvania would be a "good opportunity" for him.

He made a significant effort to plan his attack in detail for certain events, which means he looked at a large number of events or targets — stated Kevin Rojek, who leads the FBI division in Pittsburgh.

Authorities analysed Crooks' online activity and noted that while he was interested in various ideologies, it is difficult to pinpoint a specific left-wing or right-wing perspective. There are also no signs suggesting Crooks may have been working with someone or being directed by a "foreign force."

At this time, we are not ready to make definitive statements regarding Crooks' motives — Rojek noted.

20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks carried out a failed assassination attempt on Republican candidate Donald Trump on 13 July during an election rally in Pennsylvania. He fired at him from a distance of just 150 yards. The failed assassination attempt resulted in two injuries and one fatality. Crooks himself died at the scene, shot by Secret Service agents.

Donald Trump already has his own theory about who to blame for the assassination attempt on himself. In his opinion, the cause lies with the competition.

The attempt on my life is to some extent Biden and Harris' fault — said Donald Trump in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.

According to the Republican presidential candidate, the current administration of Biden and Harris was not interested in his safety. Moreover, he believes they could have influenced the assailant through their rhetoric.

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