FBI hunts for gunman’s motives in Trump rally shooting aftermath

As the fallout from the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday continues, law enforcement have yet to reveal a motive for the attack.

The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a town located about 50 miles south of where the rally was held. He was identified using DNA, according to law enforcement, as he carried no ID. Crooks was a registered Republican, according to media reports, but had also previously donated to a liberal voter group. He had no criminal history according to Pennsylvania public court records.

Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks at the scene.

Crooks killed one attendee and critically injured two spectators, officials said. The rally-goer who was killed was identified by officials on Sunday as Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father-of-two who dove on his family to protect them from gunfire.

Trump said a bullet grazed his right ear and caused him to bleed, but he was otherwise fine. In a post Sunday, Trump said, “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United.”

It is unclear if anyone else was involved in the shooting’s planning or execution. A preliminary FBI search of the shooter’s phone has not revealed a motive, either, an official said Monday.

Investigators are working to figure out how Crooks obtained what has been reported to be a weapon like an AR-15-style rifle, why he targeted the former president, and how such an attack could even happen given the tight layers of security that typically surrounds any appearance by a former or current president.

Officials found two explosive devices in Crooks’ car, and possibly a third at his home, The New York Times reported. The rifle was purchased by a family member, according to authorities, and some reports suggested it belonged to his father.

The shooting — the closest the US has come to a potential presidential assassination in 43 years — came hours before the Republican National Convention kicks off on Monday in Milwaukee.

Trump has confirmed he will still speak at the convention.

Corey Lewandowski, a GOP convention adviser, said the event “is going to be bigger than ever,” NBC News reported.

“When he [Trump] walks in that arena for the first time, the decibel level will be so high it will be almost unmeasurable,” he said.

The Wisconsin Republican Party chairman said in an interview with a local TV station that he was confident the convention can proceed as planned, but said it remains to be seen what security changes will need to be put in place.

“We felt confident about where we were — all the cooperation between the Secret Service, the city, the county, dozens of law enforcement agencies,” he said. “I’m sure there’s some folks getting another look today just to make sure.”