The individual who fired upon former President Donald Trump during an election rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday seems to have acted independently, as indicated by the FBI, which is treating the incident as a possible act of “domestic terrorism.”
The shooter has been named Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 years old.
“At this point in the investigation, it appears that he was a lone actor, but we still have more investigation to go,” stated Robert Wells, the executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch. He added that the FBI is classifying this as an assassination attempt and exploring it as a potential domestic terrorism case.
The counterterrorism and criminal divisions are collaborating to uncover the motive behind the act, he noted. The FBI is at the forefront of the investigation into the assassination attempt against Trump during the rally.
Trump sustained a gunshot wound that grazed the upper part of his right ear but is reportedly safe and continuing his schedule, which includes traveling to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where he is set to be formally nominated as the party’s candidate against incumbent Joe Biden.
“The shooter may be deceased, but the investigation is very much ongoing. And, because of that, we are limited in what we say at this point,” stated FBI Director Christopher Wray.
“What we witnessed yesterday was nothing short of an attack on democracy and our democratic process,” he remarked during a press briefing in Washington, D.C.
An FBI official noted that the investigation into the shooter at Trump’s rally has yet to reveal any mental health issues, threatening posts, or other potential motives, while emphasizing that it is still early in the process.
According to the FBI, the shooter utilized an AR-style rifle chambered in 5.56mm, a typical caliber for such firearms.
The New York Times reported that authorities are examining the shooter’s social media accounts and personal belongings in their quest to understand the motive behind the attack.
President Biden is expected to address the nation at 8 PM from the Oval Office, delivering “a strong and necessary statement to inform the public about the shocking attack on Donald Trump and the urgent need for Americans to unite in not only condemning but also ending political violence in our country once and for all,” as noted by a campaign official.
Crooks graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County just two months ago with an associate degree in engineering science. School officials expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragic events.
In a memo to her agents, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stated, “The attempted assassination of former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, is a moment that will forever be remembered in history.”
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