Title: The Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Unveiling the Timeline and Investigating the Motive
Law enforcement officials investigating the assassination attempt on Donald Trump have provided new details about the timeline of events and the motives of the shooter. According to sources, U.S. Secret Service snipers first spotted the suspect, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, on a rooftop outside the security zone at 5:52 p.m. ET. Twenty minutes later, at 6:12 p.m. ET, shots were fired at the former president. The Secret Service has faced criticism for their response to the incident, with calls for the director, Kim Cheatle, to resign.
Investigators have discovered that Crooks searched for images of President Biden and former President Trump on his phone. However, his political views remain unknown, and authorities are trying to determine his motive. It was revealed that Crooks was identified as a person of interest a full 62 minutes before the shooting occurred.
A visual timeline analysis conducted by ABC News’ visual verification team showed that one of the sniper teams repositioned two minutes before the first gunshots were fired. This repositioning was done in the direction of the shooter’s location, indicating that the snipers were actively monitoring the situation.
The motive behind the assassination attempt remains a mystery. Law enforcement officials have stated that Crooks’ parents do not have strong political leanings, suggesting that his actions may not be politically motivated. The FBI has conducted 200 interviews as part of their investigation.
During the briefing with House members, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for a classified briefing with the USSS (United States Secret Service) to gather more information about the incident.
The suspect was able to get a clear shot at Donald Trump by climbing onto an air conditioning unit and making his way to the top of an adjacent building. Law enforcement sources revealed that Crooks was seen near the magnetometers where rallygoers were being scanned for weapons before entering the venue. Bystander video obtained by WTAE showed Crooks pacing outside the boundaries of the Trump rally over an hour before the shooting, raising concerns about how he went unnoticed.
During his ascent to the shooting position, Crooks was seen near the American Glass Research (AGR) building, which was being used as a staging area for local police. The presence of local police personnel and counter-sniper units in the AGR building may have caused confusion among Secret Service snipers, who were trying to assess the threat to Trump.
Questions have been raised about how Crooks was able to ascend to the roof without being detected. The Secret Service had requested a local police cruiser to be positioned at the AGR building, but it was not provided. This lack of security measures may have contributed to the shooter’s ability to carry out the attack.
Investigators found a remote transmitter in Crooks’ pocket, which may have been intended to set off suspicious devices found in his car and home. The purpose of these devices remains unknown, but they were constructed using components that could have made viable explosives.
The examination of Crooks’ phone and computer has not provided any significant information about his motives. Investigators describe him as a loner without many friends. They are currently assessing whether he was difficult to approach or if he deliberately hid his intentions. It is unclear if he had any accomplices or additional support for the attack.
The Pennsylvania State Police provided resources to assist with securing the inside perimeter of the campaign rally venue but were not responsible for securing the building or property outside the security perimeter where the shooting took place.
In conclusion, while the motive behind the assassination attempt on Donald Trump remains unclear, law enforcement officials are actively investigating the shooter’s actions and searching for any accomplices. The timeline of events and security measures taken during the rally are being scrutinized to identify potential gaps and improve future security protocols. The investigation into this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by public figures and the constant need for heightened security measures.
