Tracking the 48-hour movements of Thomas Matthew Crooks before the Trump rally shooting. Investigators search for motives as they piece together his activities and purchases.
In the 48 hours leading up to his attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks made a series of puzzling stops and purchases. Investigators are now scrutinizing his movements to understand his motives behind the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Key Points:
Shooting Range Visit: On Friday, Crooks practiced firing at his local shooting range, where he was a member.
Purchases: On Saturday, he bought a five-foot ladder from Home Depot and 50 rounds of ammunition from a local gun store.
Journey to Rally: Crooks drove his Hyundai Sonata to the rally, bringing an improvised explosive device in the trunk.
Attack Execution: Using the ladder, Crooks scaled a nearby building and opened fire on Trump, carrying a remote detonator for the IED.
Ongoing Investigation: Investigators have not found any clear motive despite searching Crooks’ phone, and computer, and interviewing his family and friends.
Explosive Device: A metal box of explosives with a remote control detonator was found in Crooks’ car, suggesting plans for a distraction during the shooting.
Legal Firearm: The rifle used was legally purchased by Crooks’ father and kept at their home.
As authorities continue to investigate the attempted assassination, they remain baffled by the lack of clear motive or ideological impetus behind Thomas Matthew Crooks' actions. The sequence of his movements and purchases raises more questions than answers, leaving a complex puzzle for investigators to solve.
Source: CNN
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