The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is grappling with a scant digital footprint left by the would-be assassin who attempted to kill former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
The 20-year-old assailant was fatally shot by the US Secret Service on Saturday after targeting the Republican presidential nominee. Despite exhaustive efforts, investigators have yet to uncover a clear motive behind the attack.
Sparse clues and unsettling search history
The initial stages of the investigation have not yielded significant clues, leaving authorities in the dark about the gunman’s intentions. Recent revelations indicate that the suspect, identified as Crooks, had conducted online searches for various high-profile figures, seemingly while “scoping out” potential assassination targets. According to the FBI, his search history also included an unnamed member of the royal family.
Detailed examination of digital devices
Since the assassination attempt, FBI agents have meticulously examined the contents of the gunman’s two mobile phones. The investigation revealed searches related to FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Attorney General Merrick Garland. Additionally, photos of former President Trump and President Joe Biden were discovered on his devices, along with critical dates associated with their re-election campaigns. Notably, these included Trump’s rallies and the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for next month in Chicago.
The incident has spawned numerous conspiracy theories and intensified scrutiny of the US Secret Service, which faces severe allegations of negligence. The agency’s purported failure to preemptively protect Trump has dominated headlines, particularly following an eyewitness account that claimed to have alerted authorities to a suspicious individual near the stage an hour before shots were fired.
Security lapses and weapons found
Although the gunman was initially removed from the venue after triggering a metal detector, he reportedly managed to position himself with a “direct line of sight” on Trump from outside the secure zone. Armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, Crooks also had other explosives in his car.
Calls for accountability and resignations
In light of the security lapses, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has acknowledged the Secret Service’s shortcomings. Secret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle has faced mounting pressure to resign after admitting that no snipers were stationed on the roof due to health and safety concerns, describing the platform as sloped and hazardous.
As the investigation continues, the FBI remains focused on piecing together the fragmented digital trail left by the assailant, striving to uncover the motive behind this unprecedented attack on a former US president.