FBI Head: Gunman Investigated JFK Assassination Before Targeting Trump
The individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump and was subsequently shot dead had conducted searches related to John F Kennedy’s assassination, according to the FBI director.
Thomas Crooks, aged 20, was fatally shot on a rooftop while attempting to assassinate Mr. Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. The FBI has found no evidence of any accomplices involved.
He killed one person and injured two others during the shooting, with Mr. Trump narrowly avoiding a bullet grazing his ear while delivering a speech at the event.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, FBI director Christopher Wray revealed that the 20-year-old had searched online for information about the distance between Oswald and Kennedy a week before his attempted attack on Trump.
On November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated Mr. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, while the president was in a motorcade.
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Trump shooting: What went wrong?
Mr. Wray emphasized the significance of Crooks’ search on July 6, the same day he registered for the Trump rally scheduled for July 13. Crooks’ motives remain unclear, with no notable findings related to his intentions or beliefs.
Following the shooting, body camera footage from law enforcement officers near Crooks’ body was released, shedding light on the aftermath of the incident.
A firearm was found near Crooks’ body, though its connection to the shooting remains unconfirmed. The footage shows a man in a suit conversing with officers while Crooks’ body lies on the rooftop.
Subsequently, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General initiated three reviews relating to the shooting incident, seeking answers regarding the security lapse that allowed Crooks to target Mr. Trump.
The officer checks an image he received of Thomas Crooks before the shooting
The officer wearing the bodycam is seen discussing with law enforcement about identifying Crooks as a potential threat before the attack. They review an image on the officer’s phone to confirm their suspicions.
Additionally, the man in the suit mentions that individuals in the crowd had captured footage of Crooks on the roof before he initiated the shooting.
Law enforcement officers gathered around Crooks’s body
Later, the US Secret Service director resigned, assuming responsibility for the security oversight that allowed the shooting to occur. Lawmakers in Congress are seeking accountability for the incident, prompting Mr. Trump to reconsider holding outdoor rallies in the future.
Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security launched investigations into the security protocols leading up to the shooting, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Colonel Paris highlighted that Crooks had behaved suspiciously before the shooting, catching the attention of officers due to his unusual behavior near the venue.
