Detonator Found Near Crooks Phone Says Report
In a dramatic and tragic turn of events at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, would-be assassin Thomas Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service snipers. Crooks, 20, was found with a remote detonator and his cellphone after being killed, raising alarming questions about his intentions.
The Pittsburgh WPXI first published a picture showing the detonator—a rectangular gray device with a keypad resembling a TV remote control—next to Crooks' cellphone. Earlier reports revealed that FBI agents found explosive materials, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest in Crooks' car. CNN confirmed that the bombs were connected to the detonator, adding to the severity of the situation.
Crooks' behavior drew the attention of security at the rally in Butler, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, as early as 3:00 p.m. He was acting suspiciously near metal detectors and was seen using a range finder, a device typically used by hunters and marksmen.
The gunfire erupted at 6:11 p.m., just minutes after Trump took the stage. Despite the heightened security, Crooks managed to breach the rally's perimeter hours before the shooting. At 3 p.m., he triggered a metal detector but was allowed entry after security officers found him with a rangefinder and kept an eye on him.
Law enforcement officials now face scrutiny for their handling of the situation. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is under pressure, especially after local officials contradicted her claim that a Beaver County sniper team was stationed in the AGR International building from which Crooks fired. It was revealed that Crooks had been seen around the building multiple times before the shooting but no immediate action was taken.
On the day of the rally, Crooks arrived at approximately 3:00 p.m. and was spotted acting suspiciously by officers. Despite this, he was not detained and continued to move freely. Around 5:45 p.m., an officer took a photograph of him near the rally's outer perimeter. Despite multiple sightings and reports, Crooks was able to scale the AGR International building's air conditioning system, positioning himself on the roof with his rifle.
As Crooks fired shots from the roof, Secret Service agents quickly reacted, and one agent fatally shot him seconds after he fired at the crowd, killing Pennsylvania fire chief Corey Comperatore and injuring two others, including Trump, who was hit in the right ear. Graphic video footage showed Crooks aiming through his father's AR-style weapon before he was neutralized.
Investigators are still searching for a motive. Crooks, a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, had no significant social media presence and had not expressed radical views at work. His car contained two remote-controlled explosive devices, another bulletproof vest, and additional ammunition.
Crooks' actions have left his community in shock. Known as a good person with no prior concerns, his background check was clean, and colleagues at his workplace were baffled by his involvement in such a violent act. Records show he was a registered Republican and had donated to a progressive group supporting President Joe Biden on the day of the 2020 inauguration.
His father, Matthew Crooks, and his mother, both behavioral therapists, expressed disbelief over their son's actions. The Justice Department, Secret Service, and FBI are now leading the investigation, with plans to brief senators on the details.
Republican officials at the ongoing convention in Milwaukee are demanding accountability from the Secret Service, emphasizing the need for stringent security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. As investigations continue, many questions remain about how Crooks managed to evade security and what his ultimate plans were.