On Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray disclosed that the individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally had been extensively researching the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
During a congressional committee hearing, Wray revealed that the suspect, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had been conducting online searches related to JFK’s November 1963 assassination in the days preceding the attack.
Two hours before Trump was set to appear on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, Crooks allegedly operated a drone over the event venue. Wray informed the House Judiciary Committee that, although the investigation is ongoing, the FBI has not yet established a clear motive for the attack. “Determining the motive is one of our key objectives,” Wray stated.
Trump survived the assassination attempt with an injury to his right ear. The assailant, Crooks, was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper less than 30 seconds after firing eight shots.
“Regarding former President Trump, there’s still some uncertainty about whether it was a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear,” Wray commented.
The incident also resulted in serious injuries to two rally attendees and the death of a 50-year-old Pennsylvania firefighter.
Wray noted that Crooks had been investigating various public figures without any clear pattern, and the FBI has not identified any significant ideological or motivational indicators from usual sources of information.
“Starting around July 6, Crooks became intensely focused on former President Trump and this specific rally,” Wray reported, adding that Crooks registered to attend the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the same day.
On July 6, Crooks conducted a Google search asking, “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” Wray highlighted this search as significant in understanding Crooks’ mindset.
The FBI director confirmed that there is no evidence suggesting that Crooks had any accomplices or co-conspirators, describing him as a “loner.”
The attack occurred from the roof of a nearby building, where Crooks used an AR-style assault rifle to target Trump shortly after 6:00 p.m. as the Republican candidate addressed the rally.
