Following the attempted assassination of former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, questions have been raised about the actions of suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks before and during the attack.

On July 13, Trump was attacked at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while addressing supporters from the podium. One attendee was killed and two others were injured in the shooting.

The FBI called the incident an “attempted assassination.” After investigating, they identified the attacker, who was killed at the scene, as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Anadolu pieced together the events based on information provided to the press by the FBI, the Secret Service, local police, judicial authorities and eyewitnesses.

Suspect’s actions before the attack

Information has emerged about Crooks’ activities leading up to the attempted assassination of Trump.

On the day of the incident, Crooks took the day off from work and told coworkers he would be back on Sunday.

Further investigation revealed that Crooks had engaged in “suspicious” activities in and around Pittsburgh, near the meeting, prior to the attack.

The day before the attack, Crooks visited the gun range where he was a member and practiced shooting. On the morning of Trump’s rally, he bought 50 rounds of ammunition from a Bethel Park-area gun store and a 16-foot ladder from a general store.

Crooks received several packages in the months leading up to the attack, some of which “may have contained hazardous materials.” However, it is not yet clear whether he used the ammunition or the ladder he purchased later that day in the attack.

Seen on the rally site before the attack

Suspect Crooks was spotted surveying the rally site around 5:30 p.m. (21:30 GMT), drawing attention as he walked around with a backpack and used a golf rangefinder to take measurements before Trump took the stage.

Crooks’ photo was shared among law enforcement and Secret Service officials due to “suspicious behavior” and his “suspicious situation” was radioed to higher authorities. Meanwhile, those present noticed Crooks checking his phone “angrily and frequently” before quickly disappearing from view.

According to the Secret Service, local police received information about the suspect from witnesses, but were unable to locate him.

Because it is unclear how and when this information was passed on to the Secret Service, it is suspected that there was a breakdown in communication between the police and the Secret Service.

At approximately 6:09 p.m. (23:30 GMT) local time, witnesses saw Crooks climb onto the roof with a ladder and crawl out with a gun (registered to his father). He attempted to alert police by shouting and making gestures to indicate his location.

As Crooks climbed onto the roof, a police officer attempted to climb on, but retreated when Crooks pointed his gun at him.

Trump was shot in the ear at 6:11 p.m. (23:11 GMT), shortly after he began his speech at 6:03 p.m. ET (23:03 GMT).

Crooks was shot dead in the exchange of gunfire. The Secret Service reported that he was taken out by snipers, but did not specify which team.

Two teams of snipers, each consisting of two members, stood on the roofs of buildings on either side of the stage behind Trump.

Cameras captured a sniper cowering on the roof and then firing after seeing something.

Crooks’ Skills and Weapon

Trump said he avoided a headshot by turning his head slightly and leaning toward the microphone as he looked at illegal immigration statistics on the screen.

He stressed that without turning his head slightly to the right, he could have been killed. It is still unclear whether he made this movement exactly when the bullet was fired.

Investigation into Crooks revealed that he had attempted to join his high school’s shooting team but had been rejected because he was “weak in marksmanship.”

The suggestion that Crooks fired the shot that wounded Trump from 120 to 150 yards with an infantry rifle rather than a sniper rifle raises further questions about his “firearms skills.”

It’s remarkable how accurately Crooks shoots from a sloping roof with limited visibility due to a tree.

Some claims suggest the tree may have blocked his view. A major question remains how Crooks smuggled the “AR-15” into the area, with an ongoing investigation into when and where he hid the weapon.

Secret Service vs. Local Police Responsibility

After the incident, the Secret Service was criticized for “security lapses and delayed responses.”

While the Secret Service was responsible for the areas surrounding Trump’s podium, local police were charged with securing the outer perimeter, including the building from which Crooks emerged onto the roof.

According to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, the suspect managed to reach the roof of the building that local police were supposed to be securing.

Local police claim they were not assigned any security duties by the Secret Service.

Meanwhile, Trump, despite being injured and having collapsed, continued to greet the crowd and raised his fist as the Secret Service team helped him to his feet.

During this time, his head and neck were partially exposed. The fact that the Secret Service did not fully cover the former president when they were not entirely certain of the absence of further threats has drawn attention.

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to review the Secret Service’s security process.

Why Crooks?

Crooks was described by people who knew him as a “loner who didn’t talk to anyone” and “a normal person who didn’t seem to like talking to others.”

His closest acquaintances reported no ‘dangerous signals’.

Crooks was bullied in high school for wearing hunting gear and occasionally teased, but he was also considered intelligent and graduated with honors in engineering from a two-year college.

Although he is registered as a Republican, he donated $15 to the Democratic Party in 2021.

The FBI’s investigation into the attempted murder included gaining access to Crooks’ phone, searching his computer, home and car, and interviewing more than 100 people.

Images of Trump and President Joe Biden were found on his electronic devices and internet searches for “bullet trajectory into the wind” were found.

According to the FBI, Crooks acted alone in the attack, but despite extensive investigation and interviews, the motive behind his attack on Trump remains unclear.