A senior Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official said the agency is investigating the shooting at former President Trump’s campaign rally as an attempted assassination as well as a “potential” act of domestic terrorism.
“At this point [in] After the investigation, it appears that he was a lone actor, but we still have more investigations to go,” explained Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Section, referring to the alleged shooter.
“We are investigating this as an assassination attempt,” but also as a “potential act of domestic terrorism,” he explained.
“Therefore, our counterterrorism division and our criminal divisions are working together to determine the motive.”
Trump survived gunfire at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, when he was hit in the ear less than 10 minutes after his speech. He was escorted off stage by Secret Service agents, where blood could be seen near his right ear and on his cheek.
One victim, identified as Corey Comperatore, was killed during the incident, while two others were seriously injured. Trump’s campaign said the former president is “fine.”
The alleged shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthews Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said was one of its employees, working as a dietary aide. Crooks died during the incident.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has asked Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear at a public hearing later this month following the incident, while some Republicans have already called for Cheatle to be fired after the shooting.
During the call with reporters, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said the weapon recovered during the shooting was “a 556-style AR rifle, which was acquired legally.” Authorities said they believe the gun was purchased by the alleged shooter’s father.
Rojek explained that they were searching the shooter’s phone. He noted that authorities also “located a suspicious device” while searching the alleged shooter’s vehicle, “which was inspected by bomb technicians.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
