FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed new details about explosive devices found in the car and home of suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Wray has been questioned by lawmakers about the FBI’s investigation into an alleged plot by Crooks to assassinate former President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Here are some key details revealed by Ray about the explosives:
The FBI found three “relatively crude” devices.
Ray said investigators have so far found three explosive devices believed to belong to Crooks: two in his vehicle near the Butler rally and one inside his home.
Body camera footage from rooftop shows confusion among officials as man with rifle attempts to kill Trump
Suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks had three explosives in his car and home when he attacked former President Trump. (Bethel Park School District/Getty Images)
Ray described the bomb as “relatively crude” but added that it still posed a significant threat.
The bomb was rigged to be detonated remotely.
Ray said despite the crude nature of the explosives, they were rigged for remote detonation.
Wray did not provide details about the range of the remote detonator, but said there was no indication that Crooks tried to detonate it before he was shot and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Secret Service Director Cheetah resigns amid growing pressure following Trump assassination attempt
FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed new details about explosive devices found in the car and home of suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Crooks had placed the detonator on the roof.
Crooks was carrying a remote detonator for explosives on the roof when he opened fire on Trump.
Wray did not elaborate on the size of the detonator but said Crooks was able to carry it onto the roof along with a rifle. The position of the detonator’s on-off switch indicated that the detonator would not have gone off if Crooks had tried to detonate the bomb after firing at Trump, the FBI director said.
The criminals used encrypted messaging apps.
Wray confirmed that the FBI had access to Crooks’ phone but said the investigation was hampered by Crooks’s regular use of encrypted messaging apps.
Ray said the investigation has not ruled out the possibility that Crooks may have conspired with one or more co-defendants.
FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that the bureau had access to Thomas Crooks’ phone but said the investigation was hampered by Crooks’s regular use of encrypted messaging apps. (AP Photo/Jean J. Puskar)
The FBI recovered Crooks’ drone.
Wray said FBI agents found and recovered the drone that Crooks used to spy on the area where the Trump rally was being held.
Click here to get the FOX News app
He said both the drone and the controller were in Crooks’ vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Investigators believe Crooks flew the drone near the rally between 3:50 and 4:00 pm on the day of the rally, flying within about 200 yards of the stage during the flight.
