Trump assassination attempt
Cellphone and detonator found on rooftop near suspected Trump shooter
Items seen in picture obtained by Pittsburgh-area TV station while motives remain unclear
PITTSBURGH, PA — In a shocking development following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, authorities have discovered a cellphone and a remote detonator on a rooftop near the scene of the shooting. The items were found in close proximity to the body of the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old who was fatally shot by security personnel during the incident.
The discovery was made public after an image captured by a local television station, WPXI, showed the cellphone and detonator. The revelation has added a new layer of complexity to the investigation, as authorities now consider the possibility that Crooks may have been planning to set off an explosion remotely as a distraction during the attack.
The shooting occurred last weekend at the Butler County showgrounds in western Pennsylvania, where Trump was holding a campaign rally. Crooks, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, opened fire, injuring Trump and killing one attendee. Two others were also injured before Crooks was neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
In the immediate aftermath, President Joe Biden condemned the violence, calling for national unity. "There's no place in America for this kind of violence," Biden said. "We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this."
The FBI has successfully accessed Crooks's cellphone, which is now being analyzed for clues to his motives. Despite extensive efforts, including nearly a hundred interviews with law enforcement officials, rally attendees, and witnesses, a clear rationale for the attack has yet to emerge. Crooks, a registered Republican who had made a modest donation to a Democratic-affiliated group, had a minimal online presence, leaving investigators with few leads.
The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols at the rally. Reports indicate that local law enforcement and the Secret Service were aware of a suspicious individual on the rooftop but failed to act decisively. According to sources, an officer attempting to reach the rooftop fell, allowing Crooks to open fire.
Kim Cheatle, director of the U.S. Secret Service, acknowledged the security lapses, stating that local police were present inside the building from where Crooks carried out the attack. However, the challenging layout of the building and the division of responsibilities between the Secret Service and local law enforcement contributed to the delay in response.
The shooting has had significant political repercussions. Trump, who appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage on his ear, used the incident to rally his supporters. The attack has also intensified calls for reducing political hostility, with Biden urging for a united front against violence.
The discovery of the detonator has added to the speculation that Crooks may have intended to cause a larger-scale attack. Authorities found explosives linked to a receiver in Crooks's vehicle, further supporting this theory.
The incident has sparked a wave of reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Trump's campaign has seized the opportunity to criticize Biden and the Democrats, while Biden's team has paused outbound communications and television ads in the wake of the shooting.
Vice President Kamala Harris postponed a planned campaign trip to Florida, and First Lady Jill Biden's campaign activities in Pittsburgh were also affected. The shooting has put Democrats in a difficult position, as they navigate the political fallout and continue to support Biden's re-election campaign.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the motives behind the attack and addressing the security flaws that allowed it to happen. The discovery of the cellphone and detonator has added a new dimension to the case, highlighting the potential for even greater violence. Authorities are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and ensure that such an incident does not occur again.