FBI to Interview Trump After Assassination Attempt; Investigation into Gunman Thomas Crooks Continues
The FBI is preparing to interview former President Donald Trump as part of their ongoing investigation into the recent assassination attempt involving Thomas Matthew Crooks, according to federal law enforcement sources. This step gathers a victim impact statement, a standard procedure in such cases.
On July 13, Crooks, who had climbed onto a building overlooking Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, fired shots from his elevated position. He managed to evade law enforcement on the ground before opening fire. The attack resulted in the death of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore and left David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, seriously injured.
Trump later reported being struck by a bullet in the right ear. Photos from the scene indicated blood on the right side of his head, underscoring the severity of the incident.
The FBI’s investigation is focused on understanding Crooks’ motives. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress this week, revealing that Crooks had researched past presidential assassinations. On the day he registered to attend the rally, he searched for information about the distance of Lee Harvey Oswald from President Kennedy using Google.
Wray noted that Crooks became intensely focused on Trump and the rally around July 6. In a statement, the FBI emphasized the gravity of the attack. “Since the day of the attack, the FBI has been clear that this was an attempted assassination of former President Trump, which resulted in his injury, the death of a courageous father, and injuries to others,” said an FBI spokesperson.
The FBI’s Shooting Reconstruction Team continues to analyze evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, as the investigation remains ongoing.
