The FBI has confirmed that Thomas Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally, acted alone in planning and executing the attack. This revelation was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel shortly after media personality Tucker Carlson aired a segment that raised questions about the FBI’s investigation into Crooks.
On July 13, 2024, Crooks opened fire from a rooftop in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring several individuals, including critically wounding one person, Corey Comperatore, who died while shielding his family from gunfire. The attack also left two others injured before Crooks was fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
Patel detailed the extensive investigation into Crooks, stating that over 480 FBI employees participated in the inquiry. The investigation included more than 1,000 interviews, evaluation of over 2,000 public tips, and analysis of data from 13 seized digital devices. The findings also involved reviewing nearly 500,000 digital files and examining financial activities across ten different accounts.
In a post on X, Patel emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation, which looked into Crooks’ online presence and digital activities. He noted that the FBI analyzed data from over 20 online accounts and had access to hundreds of hours of video footage related to the event.
The timing of Patel’s announcement coincided with Carlson’s claim that the FBI had initially suggested Crooks had minimal online activity. Carlson’s team reportedly received an anonymous tip that revealed Crooks had a significant online presence contrary to what federal investigators had suggested. The tipster utilized tools typically employed by private investigators to access Crooks’ accounts, including two encrypted foreign email addresses.
Carlson claimed, “It turns out that Crooks was hardly an online ghost,” revealing that Crooks had a deactivated YouTube account with a detailed search history and numerous public comments. When Carlson’s team inquired why this information had not been disclosed earlier, the FBI requested verification of the authenticity of the accounts.
The attack on Trump occurred during a rally in Butler, where Crooks fired eight shots, narrowly missing Trump and resulting in the tragic death of Comperatore. Marine veteran David Dutch, who was shot in the chest and liver, survived the incident, while another victim, James Copenhaver, sustained life-altering injuries.
Patel’s announcement served as the first significant update on the case since he assumed leadership of the FBI. His statement aligns with previous briefings but adds new context to the extent of the investigation. Critics and some lawmakers are now calling for more transparency, specifically regarding Crooks’ online activities prior to the attack.
The events surrounding the assassination attempt have prompted congressional hearings that scrutinize the protocols of the Secret Service. These hearings led to the resignation of its director, and a bipartisan task force is currently examining the systemic failures that allowed Crooks to access the rooftop with a rifle. Additionally, a watchdog group is pursuing legal action against the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security to obtain records related to the security lapses during the rally.
The public’s demand for clarity continues to grow, as many are left questioning the initial narrative provided by federal authorities. There is a strong interest in understanding how Crooks, a registered Republican with a seemingly unremarkable profile, could transform into an individual capable of such a violent act. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to piece together the motivations behind Crooks’ actions and ensure that similar incidents do not recur in the future.
