FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed shocking details during a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident took place on July 13, where the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, flew a drone in the area near the rally just two hours before Trump was scheduled to speak.
According to Wray, Crooks was flying the drone approximately 200 yards from the stage around 4 p.m. The drone was in the air for 11 minutes, and investigators believe Crooks watched a live feed from the drone on his phone. The drone was later found in his car following the shooting.
Additionally, Crooks had two explosives in his car and one in his home, but it was determined that he likely did not have the ability to detonate them from the roof where he was eventually killed by a US Secret Service counter sniper.
The FBI is treating the incident as both an attempted assassination and a potential act of domestic terrorism. Crooks fired approximately eight times at Trump with an AR-style rifle before being neutralized by law enforcement.
Despite extensive investigations, the FBI has not found evidence of any co-conspirators. Wray emphasized that the shooter acted alone and legally obtained the rifle from his father. The FBI is continuing its investigation to understand the motives behind the attack.
Investigators have examined Crooks' digital footprint, interviewed his family and friends, and searched his belongings, but have not been able to determine a clear motive for his actions. The 20-year-old assailant had no prior interactions with the FBI and was not on any watchlists.
Wray highlighted the heightened threat environment and emphasized that the FBI's investigation is ongoing. The House Judiciary Committee hearing continues to delve into the details surrounding the attempted assassination of the former president.
