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“We went from golf range finder to AR-15, and now we have to fill in the gap,” a source told Fox News. Initially, authorities identified Crooks as a “person of interest” when he was seen with a golf range finder on Saturday, but he wasn’t considered a “threat.”
Range finders, which were not banned at rally events at the time, are now under scrutiny as authorities consider revising the list of prohibited items. It wasn’t until Crooks was seen with a weapon that he was classified as an official threat.
The Secret Service revealed that four counter-sniper teams were deployed at the rally—two from their agency and two from local law enforcement. One local team and one federal team engaged the gunman. A federal sharpshooter neutralized the threat, fatally shooting Crooks seconds after he opened fire. In the aftermath, considerable debate has emerged among authorities regarding who was responsible for securing the AGR building, from which Crooks launched his attack.
The FBI has found evidence that Crooks left an ominous warning about his plans just hours before the incident. Crooks, who fired eight rounds at Trump before being shot and killed, wrote an open message to other players on the video game platform “Steam” on July 13th, shortly before the attack. “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds,” Crooks allegedly wrote, according to authorities.
Since the shooting, the FBI has accessed Crooks’ phone and laptop, where agents have reportedly found evidence of his online statement. “Steam” is a virtual store where users can communicate with each other. Search history from the laptop shows Crooks was researching information about both the Republican and Democratic national conventions before heading to Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Brutal “Pocket Weapon” Stops Hearts (discounted for next 78)
Senators briefed on the investigation noted that a political ideology has not yet been ascribed to Crooks, which is unusual given the historical precedent of shooters targeting U.S. presidents over political beliefs. Former classmates, however, described Crooks as politically agnostic and critical of the current political landscape in America. His household had a mix of political identities: Crooks was a registered Republican, his father is a libertarian, and his mother is a Democrat. Additionally, Crooks recently made a small donation to a progressive advocacy group supporting President Joe Biden.
Tonight, Trump is set to officially accept the GOP presidential nomination and deliver his speech at the RNC.
