A local police officer retreated after the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump pointed his rifle at him, the Associated Press reported Sunday afternoon.
An anonymous source told the AP that the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, pointed a gun at the police officer who was climbing up a ladder to confront him. After the police officer climbed back down, Crooks quickly fired at Trump and was then killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Bomb-making materials were also discovered in Crooks’ vehicle and home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The AR-15-style rifle Crooks used was purchased by his father about six months ago, law enforcement officials told the AP.
Crooks, who was not carrying an ID, was identified through DNA, according to the FBI.
“We do not currently have an identified motive,” said FBI Pittsburgh special agent Kevin Rojek in a briefing on Saturday night.
The FBI and local law enforcement told reporters that questions about the security lapses should be directed to the Secret Service, which failed to show up to the briefing.
“They conduct the initial site survey,” Rojek said. “They do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be. And they’re the ones who are in charge of securing the scene. We, along with other state and local assets are there to support the Secret Service and their mission.”
Crooks’ father told CNN that he was trying to understand “what the hell is going on” and would wait to speak to law enforcement before commenting.
A blockade was in place near Crooks’ home, preventing traffic and the media from entering the area as the warrant was executed.
Though Crooks is a registered Republican, campaign finance reports show he donated $15 to a progressive PAC on the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021.
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