FBI: Shooter fired 8 shots, flew drone in area of July 13 rally
The FBI director offered Congress more information about the July 13 attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, but many questions are still unanswered.
Speaking before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 24, FBI director Christopher Wray testified gunman Thomas Michael Crooks fired eight shots in his attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Saturday, July 13.
The shooting only grazed Trump’s ear, but left one spectator dead and two injured before the gunman was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Buffalo Township resident Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed while shielding his family. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, were injured.
Wray also testified that Crooks flew a drone within 200 yards of the building shortly before 4 p.m., roughly two hours before the Trump started to speak.
“He did clearly do some level of planning,” Wray said.
Wray said the FBI’s investigation into Crooks, of Bethel Park, is ongoing. However, he said the department has recently gained access to Crooks’ cellphone, and explosive devices recovered from his vehicle are being analyzed at an FBI lab.
According to Wray, the investigation shows Crooks fired eight shots in a span of six seconds. A total of eight casings were found on top of the American Glass Research International building on Evans City Road in Butler Township.
Late in the session, committee Chairman Jim Jordan asked Wray which bullets struck which individuals, but Wray could not provide an answer. Wray was unsure whether Trump, whose right ear was grazed during the shooting, was struck by a bullet or by shrapnel from a bullet.
Wray said the investigation so far has not found evidence that Crooks was working with anyone else in the planning of his attack.
“The FBI's mandate is focused on the shooter, and all things related to his attack,” Wray said. “We are investigating the shooter both to determine his motive and his preparations and activities before the shooting and also to make sure there aren’t any co-conspirators, accomplices.”
