Federal investigators have uncovered a concerning detail in their probe of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
CNN reported that the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had studied a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document detailing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) prior to his attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to a senior law enforcement official, a document named "IED Attack: Improvised Explosive Devices" was found saved as images on electronic devices owned by Crooks during initial FBI searches. This document offers guidance on self-protection during an IED attack and provides detailed information on different types of IEDs, their components, and the necessary amounts of explosives required to inflict casualties from various distances.
The FBI's investigation has shed light on Crooks' meticulous planning leading up to the assassination attempt. Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek of the FBI's Pittsburgh Field Office provided insight into the shooter's online activities, revealing a pattern of focused research.
Rojek stated that analysis of Crooks' internet searches showed "a sustained detailed effort to plan an attack on some events." Initially, Crooks explored various potential targets. However, upon the announcement of Trump's rally in early July, his attention narrowed specifically to this event, which he viewed as a "target of opportunity."
The FBI's findings paint a picture of a determined individual who carefully selected his target and prepared extensively for the attack. This preparation included studying the DHS document on IEDs, which remains publicly accessible online despite being over a decade old.
The discovery of the DHS document on Crooks' devices has raised questions about the availability of such sensitive information. The fact sheet describes different types of IEDs and includes charts detailing their components and the amounts of explosives needed for various blast radiuses.
When questioned about the document, a DHS official stated that the department "provides information to the American public on how to protect against a range of potential homeland security threats." However, they declined to comment specifically on the FBI's investigation or speculate about any documents found on Crooks' devices.
The document's footnote directs readers to additional fact sheets in a series published by DHS and the National Academies, covering tactics for other types of attacks, including chemical, radiological, and biological. This has sparked debate about the balance between public information and potential security risks.
On the day of the attack, Crooks fired eight shots at Trump from a rooftop near the rally site. The shooting resulted in one fatality and two injuries among the spectators before a Secret Service sniper neutralized Crooks.
The FBI has released photos of the weapon used in the attack, as well as images of a backpack and two remote-controlled IEDs found in Crooks' car parked near the rally. These findings corroborate the shooter's interest in explosive devices, as indicated by his study of the DHS document.
Despite the extensive investigation, officials have not yet identified a clear motive for the attack. Rojek noted that Crooks expressed "no definitive ideology," leaving investigators to piece together his mindset through analysis of his online activities and physical evidence.
The FBI's investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump has revealed the shooter's study of a DHS document on improvised explosive devices. This discovery, along with the shooter's focused online searches and the presence of IEDs in his vehicle, demonstrates the extensive preparation that preceded the attack. The incident has raised questions about the accessibility of sensitive information and the challenges in preventing such attacks. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to understand the shooter's motives and the full extent of his planning.
