The individual who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on Saturday had informed his boss that he needed the day off because he had “something to do,” as confirmed by multiple law enforcement officials.
Thomas Matthew Crooks had assured his coworkers that he would return to work on Sunday.
While investigators have not determined a motive for Crooks’ attack at the rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, they are piecing together more details about his actions. By 3 p.m. on Saturday, approximately three hours prior to the shooting, Crooks was observed at the security screening area for the rally.
He drew initial suspicion when he passed through the magnetometers while carrying a rangefinder, a device resembling small binoculars used by hunters and target shooters to measure distances for long-range shots, according to a senior law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
Although the rangefinder did not prevent Crooks from clearing the security screening, it did attract the attention of security personnel, who monitored him until he left the secured area. Investigators are uncertain about Crooks’ whereabouts after he departed from the screening area, but the prevailing theory suggests he returned to his car to retrieve the rifle.
Around the same time, witnesses alerted police that Crooks was seen crawling on the roof of the American Glass Research building. One of the four counter-sniper teams observed Crooks using the rangefinder to look at their position.
“He was looking at them while they were looking at him,” the official stated.
Crooks accessed the rooftop by climbing onto the building’s air conditioning system and lifting himself up, as outlined by a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
At approximately 11 p.m., Crooks’ father reported him missing, informing law enforcement officials that he believed his son had taken the rifle earlier that Saturday to go to the shooting range and expected him to return around 1:00 p.m., sources said.
Following the shooting, investigators discovered a bulletproof vest, three fully-loaded magazines, and two remote-controlled explosive devices in Crooks’ car, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
It remains unclear whether Crooks intended to utilize the body armor, the additional ammunition, and the explosives had he managed to escape after the shooting.
Moreover, during a search of Crooks’ residence, investigators found another bulletproof vest, another remote-controlled explosive device, and a 3D printer, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
