Recently unveiled photos show Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump last month.
On July 13, 20-year-old Crooks climbed to the roof of a building near Trump’s open-air campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA.
Crooks fired several rounds in Trump’s direction, with one bullet grazing the former president’s ear.
Although Trump was not critically injured, a bystander named Corey Comperatore, a retired fire chief of Buffalo Township, was killed.
Two other men sustained serious injuries, and Crooks himself was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper during the incident.
Officials are meticulously examining the events leading up to Crooks’ assassination attempt to uncover his motives.
Recently, bodycam footage of an interaction between Crooks and a police officer has been made public.
After an officer climbed onto the roof where Crooks was positioned, he quickly descended after Crooks reportedly pointed his gun at him.
Newly released photos show Crooks just before he set up his gun on the roof, sitting on a brick wall and looking at his cellphone.
It’s uncertain if he was in communication with someone at that moment.
Another photo captures Crooks turning around and seemingly looking at someone.
As the FBI investigation progresses, investigators have examined Crooks’ browsing history on his phone.
His last search was reportedly for pornography, which officials did not find particularly concerning.
However, more troubling searches were found, including inquiries about Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley.
In the hours before his assassination attempt on Trump, Crooks received text messages from his parents asking about his whereabouts.
They believed he had taken his father’s AR-15 rifle to a shooting range.
The reasons behind Crooks’ actions remain unclear, but the FBI believes he acted alone.
In a statement issued on July 14, the FBI said: “The FBI is investigating the shooting incident at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which resulted in one victim’s death and injuries to former President Trump and other spectators, as an assassination attempt and potential domestic terrorism.”
“While the investigation to date indicates the shooter acted alone, the FBI continues to conduct logical investigative activity to determine if there were any co-conspirators associated with this attack. At this time, there are no current public safety concerns.”