Bethel Park, Pennsylvania – FBI agents stormed into the Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, home of attempted Trump assassin Thomas Crooks on Monday.
Federal authorities said Crooks, 20, opened fire with an AR-15 at former President Trump as he was speaking at a rally in Butler on Friday evening, but the shots missed and struck three other victims, one of whom died.
“The FBI continues to investigate the shooting at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and a possible act of domestic terrorism,” the bureau said in a statement to Fox News’ David Spunt. “The investigation is still in its early stages, and the FBI is providing the following update: FBI technical experts have successfully gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ cell phone and continue to analyze the suspect’s electronic devices. A search of the suspect’s residence and vehicle has been completed.”
The FBI added that it “conducted approximately 100 interviews with law enforcement personnel, event attendees, and other witnesses,” and said the agency’s “work is ongoing.”
President Trump breaks silence on assassination attempt: ‘I shouldn’t be here’
An unidentified man opens the door to the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was named by the FBI as a “person of interest” in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2024. (REUTERS/Aaron Jozefczyk)
A Reuters photograph showed two FBI agents in blue shirts entering and leaving Crooks’ home on Monday morning.
Roads leading to the shooter’s home have been closed since Friday night after the shooting.
Who Was Thomas Matthew Crookes? What We Know About the Trump Assassin
Drone footage shows the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was named by the FBI as a “person of interest” in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA, on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Carlos Osorio)
“We have a 24-hour command center in Pittsburgh and FBI headquarters and are bringing every resource available to us,” Robert Wells said., “Our primary goal is to determine the suspect’s motive and determine if he had other associates or associates at this point,” said the assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division.
The FBI is investigating Crooks’ actions as an assassination attempt.
Trump supporters protect themselves from gunfire at Pennsylvania rally, ‘surprising’ locals
FBI agents searched the neighborhood of suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Agents spoke with neighbors about Crooks, who was killed Saturday after plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Drone footage shows the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was named by the FBI as a “person of interest” in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA, on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Carlos Osorio)
The 20-year-old man allegedly fired shots at rally attendees on Saturday from the roof of a barn, about 160 yards from where Trump was standing.
The gunman ultimately killed Buffalo Township’s former fire chief, Corey Comperatore, 50, and wounded two others identified by Pennsylvania State Police as David Duch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74. Secret Service agents then returned fire, shooting and killing Crooks on the roof.
Trump assassin had explosives in car parked near rally, bomb-making materials at home: sources
Undated photograph of Thomas Matthew Crookes. (Courtesy of AFP)
Crooks had been a member of the Clairton Sportsman’s Club in nearby Clairton for at least a year, according to a statement to Fox News from Rob Bootey, an attorney for the gun club.
“Moreover, the club cannot comment further on the matter as police investigations are ongoing. Naturally, the club fully condemns the senseless act of violence that took place yesterday. The club also expresses its deepest condolences to Mr Comperatore’s family and offers prayers to all those injured, including the former president,” Butai said.
Pennsylvania State Police identify victim shot in assassination attempt on former President Trump
A Bethel Park police officer speaks outside the home of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was named by the FBI as a “person of interest” in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, on July 15, 2024, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA. (REUTERS/Aaron Jozefczyk)
Crooks was one of about two dozen students who graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and received a $500 “Star Award” from the National Math and Science Initiative. Crooks, 20, was a registered Republican but donated $15 in 2021 to a Chicago-based Democratic political action committee.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Federal authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to submit a tip to FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Fox News’ Sarah Lampe Whitten and Scott McDonald contributed to this report.
