The man who attempted assassination Former President Donald Trump said Saturday at a campaign rally that the date of the attack was his “first” in an online message, a law enforcement official and an additional source familiar with a briefing said. submitted to US lawmakers told CBS News on Wednesday.
The shooter had an account on an online gaming platform, on which he posted: “July 13th will be my first.”
The message was found as investigators sought to uncover a motive for the shooting.
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The gunman, identified as 20 years old, Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire from the roof of a building near the rally, punching Trump in the right ear. One attendee, identified as Corey Companion50, was fatally struck. Two other participants, James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, were injured.
The shooter searched for images According to police sources, the shooter may have researched Trump’s public appearances and dates, as well as the Democratic National Convention.
The gunman visited the Trump rally site at least once before the shooting, sources said.
The shooter also sought out the FBI director Christopher WrayAttorney General Merrick Garland and members of the British royal family. He was also seeking information about major depressive disorder, police sources said. The shooter had two cellphones from which he conducted the searches.
Investigators have yet to determine the motive, ideology or political views that may have led to the shooting, the sources said. Wray told Congress on Wednesday that more than 200 interviews have been conducted during the investigation and more than 14,000 images have been reviewed.
Pat Milton, Andy Triay and Ellis Kim contributed reporting.
