The US Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) believes that suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks acted alone when carrying out the plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, but is still investigating.
Fox News reported that on July 14, the FBI announced that it was investigating the assassination of former President Donald Trump as a potential act of terrorism.
At a press conference just one day after the failed assassination of the former President, Robert Wells, assistant director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, announced that the agency was using "every resource at hand".
“We have a 24/7 command post in Pittsburgh as well as at FBI headquarters and we are dedicating every resource we have at our disposal,” he said. Our number one goal is to determine the subject's motive and determine whether he had any other associates or anyone else involved at this time.”
Wells said the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania and that the 20-year-old was the "lone gunman" but further investigation remains.
“We are investigating as an assassination but also consider this as a possible act of domestic terrorism . Our counterterrorism division and crime division are working together to determine the motive,” Mr. Wells said.
Kevin Rojek - special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh Division - confirmed that there are no public safety concerns.
“At this time, the information we have indicates the shooter acted alone and there is no public safety concern at this time,” Rojek said. We have not yet identified any ideology involved in this incident, but I want to remind everyone that the investigation is still in the very early stages."
Rojek said the FBI is working to determine the sequence of events related to the subject and his movements as well as the hours, days and weeks before the shooting, and to follow up on all investigative leads.
The shooting began shortly after Donald Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m. local time on July 13.
Several loud explosions could be heard and Mr Trump, with blood on his face and ears, was carried off the stage.
After the shooting, Mr. Trump's campaign confirmed that the former President was "fine."
On the evening of July 14, Mr. Trump was discharged from the hospital after being examined. He is expected to be at the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee on July 15 to receive the Republican Party's official nomination to run for president.
CNBC reported that investors believe that the failed assassination increases the possibility of Mr. Trump being re-elected in the 2024 US presidential election and traders betting on his victory will skyrocket next week. .
