Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Rally Shooter Had Photos of Trump, Biden and Other US Officials on His Phone, AP Sources Say
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 months ago on
July 18, 2024

An electronic billboard displays images of former President Donald Trump from his recent rally at the Butler Farm Show, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

WASHINGTON — The 20-year-old Pennsylvania man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump had photos on his phone of the former Republican president, President Joe Biden and other officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Investigators Searched Crooks’ Devices

Investigators searching Thomas Matthew Crooks’ devices have also found that the shooter looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention as well as Trump’s appearances, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition on anonymity to discuss details of the ongoing probe.

He also searched for “major depressive disorder,” according to three people familiar the investigation. But investigators have not yet determined whether he was actually diagnosed with the disorder, one of the people said. Studies have shown that the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, and experts say most people who are violent do not have mental illnesses.

On a conference call with reporters Sunday, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, said: “We have no indication of any mental health issues.”

Investigators have been searching for any clues into what motivated Crooks to open fire at Saturday’s campaign rally in attempt to assassinate the GOP presidential nominee. The gunman killed one rallygoer and seriously wounded two others. Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt, appearing just days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage over the wound.

FBI Investigating as Act of Domestic Terrorism

The FBI has said they were investigating it as a potential act of domestic terrorism, but the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by the Secret Service has led conspiracy theories to flourish.

Crooks used an AR-style rifle, which authorities said was purchased legally by his father. Investigators also found he brought multiple loaded magazines. He also bought 50 rounds on the day of the shooting. The rifle was purchased legally by his father years earlier.

Authorities found a bulletproof vest in his car and another rudimentary explosive device at his home, where over the past few months he had received several packages, including some that had potentially hazardous material. The FBI gained access to Crooks’ cellphone, scoured his computer, home and car, and interviewed more than 100 people so far.

The shooting has raised serious questions about why law enforcement was unable to stop the man from getting on a roof and opening fire. The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general also opened an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of the shooting.

Local Law Enforcement Noticed Man Pacing

Local law enforcement had noticed the man pacing around the edges of rally, shouldering a big backpack and peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president was supposed to be, law enforcement officials have told the AP.

Crooks was spotted again when members of a local SWAT team, stationed inside the building complex, noticed him walking around and looking at the roof. One officer took a photo of Crooks and radioed to others to be on the lookout for a suspicious person looking through a rangefinder — a small device resembling binoculars that hunters use to measure distance from a target.

Not long after, witnesses reported seeing him scaling the squat building closest to the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.

Outside, a local officer climbed up to the roof to investigate. The gunman turned and pointed his rifle at him. The officer did not — or could not — fire a single shot. But Crooks did, firing into the crowd toward the former president and sending panicked spectators ducking for cover as Secret Service agents shielded Trump and pulled him from the stage. Two counter-sniper teams were stationed on buildings behind Trump, and the team further away from Crooks fired once, killing him.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

DON'T MISS

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

DON'T MISS

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

DON'T MISS

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

DON'T MISS

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

DON'T MISS

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

DON'T MISS

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

DON'T MISS

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

DON'T MISS

Israel’s Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister in Surprise Announcement

DON'T MISS

Cryptocurrency Markets, Promoted by Trump, Brace for Election Volatility

UP NEXT

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

UP NEXT

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

UP NEXT

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

UP NEXT

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

UP NEXT

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

UP NEXT

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

UP NEXT

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

UP NEXT

Israel’s Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister in Surprise Announcement

UP NEXT

Cryptocurrency Markets, Promoted by Trump, Brace for Election Volatility

UP NEXT

Trump, Vance and Allies Hurl Insults at Women as Race Ends

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

2 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

2 hours ago

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

3 hours ago

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

3 hours ago

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

3 hours ago

Israel’s Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister in Surprise Announcement

4 hours ago

Cryptocurrency Markets, Promoted by Trump, Brace for Election Volatility

4 hours ago

Trump, Vance and Allies Hurl Insults at Women as Race Ends

4 hours ago

NFL Trade Deadline: Lions Get Za’Darius Smith, Cowboys Add Jonathan Mingo

5 hours ago

Palestinians in Gaza Fear Neither Candidate in US Election Will Help Them

5 hours ago

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

Fresno County election officials will release the first results shortly after 8 p.m. on election night, with two or three additional updates...

20 mins ago

20 mins ago

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

The wreckage left by Israeli airstrikes in Dahieh, a predominantly Shiite suburb of south Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, Nov. 5 2024. (Daniel Berehulak /The New York Times)
1 hour ago

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
2 hours ago

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

2 hours ago

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

2 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

Residents vote early in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 3, 2024. Like in 2020, the vote count will still feature “blue mirages” or “red mirages,” in which one candidate builds a fleeting lead simply because mail or Election Day ballots are counted first. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)
3 hours ago

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

3 hours ago

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

Residents vote early in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 3, 2024. While the nation awaits statewide results after the polls close on Election Day, a number of counties could provide hints on where the race is headed. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)
3 hours ago

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

Search

Send this to a friend