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Thursday, Jun 18, 2026
Outside the box.
Shooter Identified Before Attempt on Trump, FBI Reports
The FBI disclosed that law enforcement had identified Thomas Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, over an hour before the July 13 incident. Crooks was seen as suspicious, photographed, and monitored using a rangefinder before the shooting. Trump, who suffered a bullet wound, has agreed to a victim’s interview with the FBI.
The FBI revealed that law enforcement identified Thomas Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, over an hour before the incident on July 13.
At a briefing, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent Kevin Rojek explained that Crooks was spotted as a suspicious person, and a local officer took a photo of him, sharing it with other officials at the rally.
SWAT team operators observed Crooks using a rangefinder and viewing news sites before the shooting.
Seen with a backpack at 5:56 p.m. and recorded on a police dashboard camera at 6:08 p.m., Crooks was positioned on a roof from where he eventually fired.
Although Trump's security breach is not under the FBI’s investigation, the agency is creating a timeline of events.
Crooks, 20, who was killed by a Secret Service agent, had shown interest in prior mass shootings and explosive devices.
Trump, who was hit by a bullet, has agreed to a standard victim's interview.
Crooks was known to be a loner with few social connections and made several firearm and chemical purchases, unaware to his cooperative parents.
At a briefing, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent Kevin Rojek explained that Crooks was spotted as a suspicious person, and a local officer took a photo of him, sharing it with other officials at the rally.
SWAT team operators observed Crooks using a rangefinder and viewing news sites before the shooting.
Seen with a backpack at 5:56 p.m. and recorded on a police dashboard camera at 6:08 p.m., Crooks was positioned on a roof from where he eventually fired.
Although Trump's security breach is not under the FBI’s investigation, the agency is creating a timeline of events.
Crooks, 20, who was killed by a Secret Service agent, had shown interest in prior mass shootings and explosive devices.
Trump, who was hit by a bullet, has agreed to a standard victim's interview.
Crooks was known to be a loner with few social connections and made several firearm and chemical purchases, unaware to his cooperative parents.