WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – New details are emerging about the man investigators say shot at former president Donald Trump.
The shooting killed one person and two others were critically injured.
The former president says a bullet pierced his upper ear.
An intense full-scale investigation is just beginning.
“There’s going to be a long investigation into exactly what took place and how the individual was able to get access to the location,” said FBI agent Kevin Rojek.
The FBI says it’s number one goal now is figuring out what motivated Thomas Matthew Crooks.
They believe the 20-year acted alone.
He climbed on a rooftop outside the Secret Service perimeter, 150 yards away from the former president at Saturday’s rally and opened fire.
The FBI says agents are trying to get access to Crooks’ phone.
Voter registration records show Crooks was a registered Republican in Pennsylvania, but federal finance records show he made a $15 donation to a democratic fundraising platform in 2022.
“Please don’t make assumptions about the…his motives or his affiliations. Let the FBI do their job,” said President Joe Biden.
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and has no criminal record in Pennsylvania.
Investigators say Crooks used an AS-style rifle they believe his father bought at least six months ago.
Also under investigation, bomb-making materials found at his home and in his truck parked near the rally.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable. And tragic,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Sunday a former fire chief, Corey Comperatore, was killed in the shooting.
“Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family,” said Shapiro.
The Pennsylvania State Police say three others were injured in the shooting, including the former president, with many questions left unanswered.
President Biden ordered an independent review of the Secret Service’s security protocol at the rally.
