Trump attacker had photos of Biden, allegedly flew drone before Pennsylvania rally

The attacker of Donald J. Trump , Thomas Matthew Crooks 20-year-old had pictures of former Republican president, current president, on his phone Joe Biden and other officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray, people familiar with the matter said.

Researchers of FBI Among Crooks’ devices and personal belongings, they found that the attacker was looking for dates for the Democratic National Convention, as well as Trump’s presentations, according to two sources cited by The Associated Press.

The US agency continues to search for clues about the motive that led the 20-year-old to shoot Trump at last Saturday’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in an attempt to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate.

The FBI said its investigation had classified the shooting as a possible act of domestic terrorism, but had not yet found a clear ideological motive.

Investigators have gained access to Crooks’ cell phone, personal computer, home and car, and have so far interviewed more than 100 contacts.

The crooks killed one of the people at the event and seriously injured two others. While Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously injured, days later he showed up at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage over his right ear.

According to sources, the attacker also conducted research on major depressive disorder. But researchers have yet to determine whether Crooks was actually diagnosed with the disorder. Various studies have shown that the vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent, and experts say that the majority of violent people do not suffer from mental illness.

At a news conference Sunday, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, said, “We have no indication of mental health issues.”

The crooks used a type of rifle AR-15 which authorities say was legally acquired by his father.

Investigators also found he was carrying several magazines containing bullets. He also purchased 50 rounds of ammunition the day of the shooting. Authorities found a bulletproof vest in his vehicle and another crude explosive device at his home.

In recent months, he had received several packages at his parents’ house, some of which were labeled as potentially hazardous materials.

The FBI typically gathers a wealth of information in a matter of days on shooters in high-profile investigations, but Crooks remains an enigma to the agency and has left few clues online.

Yesterday he New York Times released one of the latest details in the investigation into the attack. The FBI believes Crooks flew a small drone over the Trump rally grounds on the day of the shooting, in what may have been an attempt to monitor the scene.

Another piece of relevant information surfaced on a cellphone linked to Crooks. Investigators found geolocation data on it indicating the shooter may have been in the area of ​​Trump’s campaign rally, the Butler Farm Show, on July 7.

But investigators have yet to find any evidence that Crooks had strong political beliefs or ideological motivation.

The Times said the Trump era has caused tensions in local politics in Bethel Park, where the attacker lived with his parents, a traditionally Republican town that is now evenly divided. Trump beat Biden there by just 65 votes in 2020. This year, the cracks of election season are everywhere.

But several neighbors said the Crooks family did not put up yard signs displaying their political views. In fact, they said they rarely saw the family.

According to US media reports, Crooks’ parents, Matthew and Mary, are professional counselors and interviews and employment records suggest they have been working from home at least since the pandemic.

Crooks’ father worked at Community Care Behavioral Health, part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s insurance services, connecting patients with in-network counselors, a former colleague said.

FBI investigators who searched the family home found it cluttered and untidy, much like the home of a compulsive hoarder.

In the Hyundai Sonata that Crooks drove to the Trump rally, there were no clues left either. The attacker left behind two crude explosive devices, several magazines for the AR-15 rifle he used, a bulletproof vest and the drone that investigators believe may have been used earlier in the day.