The FBI shared new details yesterday in its probe of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
A senior FBI official said that gunman Matthew Crooks was planning an attack months ahead of the Pennsylvania rally where he shot and wounded Trump, and killed a rallygoer. Crooks had apparently searched online for events for both Trump and President Joe Biden but saw the Trump rally as a “target of opportunity” once it was announced.
That same official also said after nearly 1,000 interviews that the FBI now has a “clear idea” of Crooks’ mindset, but the bureau is “not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time.”
This news comes amid growing criticism of the FBI’s handling of the investigation, including complaints about the agency’s decision to clean the roof from where Crooks had carried out his attack and the decision to cremate his body before it could be examined.
SWAT counter-sniper Ben Shaffer, who was at the rally where the shooting took place, said the decisions were “odd” as they could’ve destroyed evidence.