FBI investigating Trump assassination attempt as ‘potential’ domestic terrorist act

A top official at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the agency is looking into the shooting that unfolded at former President Trump’s campaign rally as an assassination attempt as well as a “potential” domestic terrorism act.

“At this point [in] the investigation, it appears that he was a lone actor, but we still have more investigation to go,” explained Robert Wells, the executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, referring to the suspected shooter. 

“We are investigating this as an assassination attempt,” but also as a “potential domestic terrorism act,” he explained. 

“So our counterterrorism division and our criminal divisions are working jointly together to determine the motive.”

Trump survived a shooting at his campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday when he was hit in the ear less than 10 minutes into his remarks. He was escorted offstage by Secret Service agents, where blood could be seen near his right ear and on his cheek. 

One victim, identified as Corey Comperatore, was killed during the incident while two others were seriously injured. The Trump campaign said that the former president is “fine.” 

The suspected shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthews Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., whom the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said was one of their employees, working as a dietary aide. Crooks died during the incident.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) asked Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a public hearing later this month following the incident, while some Republicans have already called on Cheatle to be fired in the wake of the shooting. 

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During the call with reporters, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Pittsburgh, said that the weapon recovered during the shooting  was “an AR style 556 rifle, which was purchased legally.” Officials said they believed the weapon had been bought by the suspected shooter’s father. 

Rojek explained they were in the process of searching the shooter’s phone. He noted that officials also “located a suspicious device” while searching the suspected shooter’s vehicle, “which was inspected by bomb technicians.”

Updated at 7:14 pm.