FBI says gunman in Trump assassination attempt searched for months before settling on target

NEWS WIRES

28 August 2024 at 3:11 pm·1-min read

Thomas Crooks, the gunman who tried to assassinate former US president Donald Trump on July 13, spent months tracking down a gathering to target before settling on the Republican presidential candidate's rally in Pennsylvania, FBI officials said on Wednesday. Kevin Rojek, the FBI's top official in western Pennsylvania, said the FBI has not yet been able to determine Crooks' motive in trying to assassinate Trump, as the gunman's computer activity did not show definitively that he was motivated by either a left- or right-leaning political ideology.

The gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump mounted a "sustained, detailed effort" to attack a major gathering of some sort before deciding to target the Republican presidential candidate at a Pennsylvania rally in July, FBI officials said on Wednesday.

FBI officials said Thomas Crooks, 20, searched more than 60 times for information about the Republican presidential candidate and his then-rival, Democratic President Joe Biden, before registering for the Trump rally in early July.

"We saw ... a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some events, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets," Kevin Rojek, the FBI's top official in western Pennsylvania, said in a telephone briefing to reporters.

Rojek said Crooks became "hyper focused" on the Trump rally when it was announced in early July "and looked at it as a target of opportunity."

There were no traces of illicit drugs or alcohol in his system.

Malay Mail
Pahang PAS says casino ban on GE16 agenda, but admits legal barriers might impede plans
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — Pahang PAS is prepared to shut down gambling premises, including South-east Asia’s largest casin...
The Telegraph
Taylor Swift’s endorsement backfires on Kamala Harris
Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris appears to have backfired, according to a poll.
The Telegraph
Watch: Biden scolds British reporter for asking question, saying ‘you be quiet’
President Biden told a British reporter “you be quiet” after the journalist asked a question before a key meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.
HuffPost
Bill Maher Goes Big With Trump Prediction: 'I Have The Credibility For This'
"I'm going to make this a very momentous night with a prediction," the "Real Time" host promised.
The Independent
‘Clearly chicken you weirdo’: People respond to JD Vance sharing video he claims shows migrants grilling cats
The “gotcha” footage posted online by Vance may not be the slam dunk he apparently hoped it would be
Evening Standard
Ballistic missile launched by Houthis from 1,000 miles away hits central Israel for first time
Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the Houthis will pay a ‘heavy price’
Malay Mail
Saifuddin Nasution steps down as PKR sec-gen, replaced by Fuziah Salleh
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has stepped down as PKR secretary-general, with former Kuantan MP F...
The Telegraph
Hardman who may be Uganda’s next president is Putin fan and asked Meloni to marry him
When he is not busy fawning over Vladimir Putin, the army chief aiming to be Uganda’s next president has spent a good deal of time salivating over Giorgia Meloni.
AFP News
Philippine ship in standoff with China leaves flashpoint reef
A Philippine vessel that spent months anchored at a disputed reef in the South China Sea has left the area, the national maritime council said Sunday. Philippines National Maritime Council Spokesman Alexander Lopez said the country would "continue to monitor and enforce our rights, exercise our rights, sovereign rights, sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area".
CNN
Same-sex marriage was on a roll in Asia. Not anymore
Rainbow flags rippled in the wind as gay and lesbian couples walked down a makeshift aisle in Bangkok’s busy Siam shopping district, holding hands.
Malay Mail
Jakim rebuts inaction claims, says GISB action began in 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) today rebutted claims that it failed to add...
The New York Times
How Hamas Uses Brutality to Maintain Power
Early this summer, Amin Abed, a Palestinian activist who has spoken out publicly about Hamas, twice found bullets on his doorstep in the northern Gaza Strip. Then in July, he said he was attacked by Hamas security operatives, who covered his head and dragged him away before repeatedly striking him with hammers and metal bars. “At any moment, I can be killed by the Israeli occupation, but I can face the same fate at the hands of those who’ve been ruling us for 17 years,” he said in a phone interv
Evening Standard
Senior Russian official warns his country could reduce Kyiv to a 'giant melted spot' with a massive attack
Dmitry Medvedev claims Russia now has formal grounds to deploy its nuclear arsenal as the West decides whether to allow Ukraine to launch long range missiles into Russia
The Telegraph
US sends ‘unserviceable’ military arms to Taiwan
The United States sent faulty military items to Taiwan including mouldy armour and expired ammunition.
Malay Mail
Rafizi to sue Wan Fayhsal over claims of using ministry funds for cybertroopers
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli is pursuing legal action against Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal W...
The Independent
Trump safe after shots fired at his West Palm Beach golf club while ex-president there: Live
‘President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,’ campaign said
INSIDER
The US Army put on a sudden show of force out on the far edge of Alaska to send the message it can as Russia and China partner in the Pacific
The 11th Airborne Division led efforts to deploy artillery and over 130 soldiers to the far tip of Alaska as US rivals conducted massive naval drills.
The Telegraph
Russia may have shared nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for missiles
Britain and the US fear Russia may have shared nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for missiles to use in its war against Ukraine.
Malay Mail
Bukit Aman’s massive raid nets RM410m in smuggled goods and e-waste from Jan 1 to Sept 14
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — The police have seized RM418,240,442.50 worth of illegal items between January 1 and September 1...
CNN
Israeli military says it has hit Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in several areas of Lebanon
The Israeli military says it targeted Hezbollah “weapons storage facilities” in multiple airstrikes across Lebanon on Saturday.

Latest stories