The shooter who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally allegedly flew drones over the site of Trump’s speech, the Wall Street Journal reported. New details reveal that 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks pre-programmed a drone flight path to survey the grounds hours before the ex-president’s speech.
The drone reportedly circled the location several times while Crooks observed and examined the event site. The planned route indicates that Crooks likely operated the drone multiple times to gather information. Later, Crooks positioned himself on a rooftop approximately 430 feet from where Trump, the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate, was speaking and fired at least six shots.
Crooks began researching the rally site soon after the Trump campaign announced the event on July 3, registering for it on July 7. He visited the farm showgrounds a few days later for further examination. Crooks then returned with two homemade bombs, designed to be remotely detonated using receivers similar to those found in fireworks. Investigators discovered these crude explosives in Crooks’ car parked near the grounds, along with a ballistic vest containing three 30-round magazines, indicating his plan to cause more significant harm.
This revelation comes alongside other chilling information about the would-be assassin’s attempt. Crooks had posted a disturbing message on social media, carried images of both Donald Trump and President Biden on his phone, and had searched for the dates of the Democratic National Convention and Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, making his intentions clear.
Multiple media reports stated that the individual who climbed onto a roof and opened fire had posted a threatening message on the gaming platform “Steam,” stating, “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds.” Investigators have examined the suspect’s devices, including cell phones and a laptop, and discovered this message. They found searches conducted in July for Trump, Biden, the DNC convention schedule, and the July 13 Trump rally.
America’s top security officials recently relayed this information to senators, who reported that none of the interviewees heard the suspect discuss politics. The suspect possessed two cell phones. The primary phone was recovered at the scene, along with a remote transmitter. A second cell phone found at the suspect’s home contained only 27 contacts. The FBI is currently locating and interviewing these individuals.
It was also stated that Crooks visited a shooting range, stopped at Home Depot, and a gun store, where he purchased 50 rounds of ammunition and a 5-foot ladder ahead of the attack. CNN reported that investigating authorities have formed an early portrait of the would-be assassin, describing him as an intelligent loner with an interest in guns, seemingly apolitical.