Bethal Park, Pennsylvania – A veteran police officer has revealed that the FBI is believed to be questioning family, friends and acquaintances of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate President Trump, in an effort to determine a motive.
Ashton Pack, a former Nevada police officer who served in the state for 23 years and was part of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, told Fox News Digital that investigators were conducting an “extensive investigation” into the 20-year-old man’s friends and family.
The FBI said Monday that it had interviewed “nearly 100” law enforcement officials, event attendees and other witnesses following Saturday’s shooting at the 45th President’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Pack highlighted four avenues that federal law enforcement officials will use to question Crooks and his family, friends and acquaintances.
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Undated photograph of Thomas Matthew Crookes (Courtesy of AFP)
1. Who did he talk to?
Pack said federal agencies would work to establish a timeline of events leading up to the attack, including interviewing people who attended the rally.
“They will thoroughly investigate his associates and friends,” he said.
Crooks grew up in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a town of about 33,000 people.
The FBI has released limited information about the results of its investigation but said Monday it had gained access to Crooks’ cellphone and laptop.
“FBI technical experts were able to gain access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ cell phone and continue to analyze the electronic devices,” the FBI said in a statement. “Searches of the suspect’s residence and vehicle have been completed.”
Investigators spoke to neighbors about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspect who was killed Saturday after attempting to assassinate former President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
2. What was his state of mind?
Pack said federal agents want to conduct a full threat assessment and psychological evaluation of Crooks.
“Experts from the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit will be conducting a full threat assessment and psychological evaluation of him,” Pack said. “They’re looking for the radicalization process and the thoughts that led him to take extreme action.”
Pack said many people have extreme beliefs and ideas, but few actually act on them.
An unidentified man opens the door to the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who the FBI has named as a “person of interest” in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2024. (REUTERS/Aaron Jozefczyk)
3. Did he take inspiration from a foreign organization or nation?
“They want to be sure that it’s not a nation state or a terrorist group or a foreign government that’s directing him,” Pack said.
Robert Wells, deputy director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, said the FBI believes Crooks acted “alone.” The FBI has previously said it was investigating the assassination attempt as a possible act of domestic terrorism.
“It appears that the perpetrator acted alone, but the investigation remains ongoing,” Wells said. “We are investigating this as an attempted assassination, but we are also looking at it as a possible act of domestic terrorism.”
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4. Did he act alone?
“They want to make sure there aren’t any further threats from potential bad actors,” Pack continued.
Fox News learned Tuesday that a joint FBI and Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin was issued this week and shared with multiple intelligence and law enforcement agencies warning of possible repeat attacks or retaliation following the shooting.
“We continue to face very real threats from those seeking to disrupt our elections,” the bulletin read in part. “The FBI remains diligent in its efforts to detect and assess possible threats, and as always, urges the public to promptly report any suspicious activity that may pose a threat to public safety.”
Undated file photo of Thomas Matthew Crookes (Source: Fox News Digital)
Pack said the FBI wants to make it clear there was no “conspiracy” and clear it away.
“They also want to gather evidence to establish whether anyone assisted in the commission of this crime, such as the purchase of ammunition and explosives, surveillance prior to the operation, or the movement of materials and equipment to the site, to establish that there was no collusion,” he said.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Callahan O’Hare)
The shooting began shortly after Trump spoke at an outdoor rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night.
There were several loud bangs and a bloody Trump was escorted off the stage, but not before shaking his fist at the crowd.
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A Secret Service agent shot and killed Crooks, the agency said.
