The FBI has confirmed that Thomas Crooks acted alone when he attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. This announcement comes from FBI Director Kash Patel, who provided extensive details about the investigation into Crooks, who was fatally shot by Secret Service agents following the attack.
During a recent press briefing, Patel outlined that over 480 FBI employees were involved in the investigation. They conducted more than 1,000 interviews, reviewed nearly 500,000 digital files, and analyzed data from 13 seized devices. The investigation also included examining financial activity across 10 accounts and scrutinizing hundreds of hours of video footage.
Patel’s statement appears to address claims made by media personality Tucker Carlson, who suggested that Crooks had a minimal online presence prior to the attack. In a post on social media platform X, Patel emphasized the complexity of the investigation and the substantial amount of information gathered. He noted that the FBI identified and examined more than 20 online accounts linked to Crooks, which included encrypted foreign email accounts.
Despite this, questions remain regarding the transparency of the FBI’s findings. Carlson’s team received an anonymous tip that led them to explore Crooks’ activities online, revealing that he was far from an “online ghost.” The source was able to access Crooks’ deactivated YouTube account, which contained extensive information such as his search history and public comments. Carlson raised concerns about why this information was not made public earlier.
The attack on July 13, 2024, left one individual dead and two others injured after Crooks fired eight shots from a rooftop, narrowly missing Trump. The deceased, Corey Comperatore, is remembered for shielding his family during the gunfire. David Dutch, a Marine veteran, survived the attack but suffered severe injuries. Another man, James Copenhaver, also sustained life-altering injuries.
In the wake of the incident, Patel’s statements align with earlier FBI reports, although they provide new insights into Crooks’ extensive digital footprint. Crooks, a registered Republican from Bethel Park, had previously made a small donation of $15 to a progressive group in 2021. Neighbors described him as quiet and unassuming, expressing shock at his involvement in the assassination attempt.
FBI officials disclosed that Crooks had searched numerous topics related to Trump and President Joe Biden in the month leading up to the attack. His online activity raised suspicions of possible foreign involvement, but Patel dismissed these concerns, stating that the investigation did not support such theories.
The release of Patel’s statements marks the first significant update on the case since he took leadership of the FBI. Some lawmakers and critics are now calling for further transparency, specifically requesting access to Crooks’ online posts and additional details about the investigation.
Following the assassination attempt, congressional hearings scrutinized the protocols of the Secret Service, prompting the resignation of its director. A bipartisan task force has been established to investigate systemic failures that allowed Crooks to access the rooftop with a firearm, despite being seen by rally attendees and law enforcement.
A watchdog group has also initiated legal action against the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, seeking records related to security lapses during the event. As the investigation unfolds, the public continues to demand clarity regarding the events leading up to the tragic shooting.
