Gunman in Trump assassination attempt saw rally as ‘target of opportunity,’ FBI official says

SUMMARY

The FBI revealed new details about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, stating that the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, considered the Pennsylvania campaign rally where he opened fire as a "target of opportunity." Crooks, who was shot and killed by a Secret Service countersniper after firing at Trump from a nearby roof, had conducted extensive research on various events featuring both Trump and President Joe Biden. According to Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, Crooks explored numerous potential targets involving the current and former presidents. Despite having conducted nearly 1,000 interviews, FBI officials have not yet identified a clear motive for the July 13th attack in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rojek stated, “We have a clear idea of mindset, but we are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time.”