FBI provides updates on Trump rally shooting in Butler County
While analysis has provided insight into the mindset of the shooter who fired eight rounds at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Connoquenessing Township, no motive or definitive political ideology has been identified, the FBI reported Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Leading up to the shooting, which killed one rallygoer, seriously injured two others and grazed Trump’s ear, Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old shooter, made a sustained, detailed effort to research a number of events and targets, including the Democratic National Convention, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, told news outlets during a phone call.
No definitive political ideology, either left leaning or right leaning, has been determined, according to Rojek. FBI analysis points to a mixture of ideologies, he said.
The rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds, which the shooter registered to attend, was a “target of opportunity,” the agency said.
Rojek said the shooter searched in late September 2023 for Trump’s campaign schedule and upcoming appearances in Pennsylvania. From April through July 12 — the day before the rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds — he searched for campaign events for both Trump and President Joe Biden.
On July 5, the shooter searched “When is the DNC” and “When is the RNC.” Online searches the next day indicate that he was researching the Butler Farm Show grounds. His queries included, “Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?” “Butler Farm Show podium” and “Butler Farm Show photos.”
“Regarding the two improvised explosive devices located in the shooter's vehicle, as well as the device found in his bedroom, the subject conducted multiple searches pertaining to explosive devices as early as September 2019, continuing through this summer,” Rojek said.
No credible evidence has been found to indicate there was a second shooter or co-conspirator, the FBI said, and there is no forensic evidence suggesting that rounds fired by local law enforcement hit the shooter or his rifle.
The shooter was killed by a Secret Service countersniper as a result of a single gunshot to the head.
Rojek confirmed that all eight shell casings found on the roof were matched to the shooter’s rifle.
“We know there were 10 rounds fired that day,” Rojek said. “Eight from our subject, one from a local law enforcement officer and one from the Secret Service sniper.”
Rojek said a toxicology report indicated that the shooter did not have alcohol or drugs in his system before he was killed.
In its investigation, the FBI said it has “conducted nearly 1,000 interviews, served numerous search warrants, issued dozens of subpoenas and analyzed hundreds of hours of video footage.” The shooter’s parents remain cooperative with the investigation.
When asked what information has been requested by the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, and not received, Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, answered that the agency will continue providing information as appropriate throughout the investigation process.
Tuesday’s call began with an introduction by Cathy Milhoan, assistant director of the FBI's Office of Public Affairs, who criticized some news outlets for spreading misinformation about the rally and the shooting.
“I continue to find it extremely disappointing that those who either seek to spread lies and conspiracies or who are just outright ignorant of facts and processes continue to be afforded both ink and airtime,” she said.
The agency clarified the procedure for handling the shooter’s remains. After examination, the body was turned over to the family, which was standard protocol. The FBI reiterated several times that there was no reason to believe there was a second shooter.
Since the day of the shooting, Rojek later said the FBI has continued to work toward two goals: namely, identifying a motive, and investigating whether the shooter planned his attacks with anyone else.
