FBI Confirms Trump Shooter Researched Events For Both Parties But Saw Nearby Trump Rally As ‘Target Of Opportunity’

The shooter who tried to kill former President Donald Trump researched events being hosted by both parties before settling on the Pennsylvania as his “target of opportunity,” according to information the FBI confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.

The exact motive of 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks has not been determined. Crooks had conducted online searches relating to both the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention shortly before the shooting.

“We saw through our analysis of all his — particularly his online searches — a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some event, meaning he looked at any number of events or targets. And then, when this event was announced — the Trump rally was announced early in July — he became hyper focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity,” said FBI agent Kevin Rojek, according to The Hill.

Moreover, Crooks researched online how to build a bomb as far back as 2019.

“We are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time,” Rojeck added. “We see no definitive ideology associated with our subject, either left leaning or right leaning. It’s really been a mixture and something that we’re still attempting to analyze and draw conclusions on.”

Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper after he fired eight shots with one bullet striking Trump’s ear. Two rally attendees were injured while one individual, Corey Comperatore, died from the shooting.

The FBI also released photos of Crooks’ rifle and backpack used to transport the firearm. Officials discovered the items at the site of the shooting.

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