New development in Trump assassination attempt: Police officer took photo '1 hour before'

The investigation conducted by the FBI into the assassination attempt on former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on July 13 is ongoing.

Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, stated that the attacker who attempted to assassinate Trump was spotted by a police officer more than an hour before the incident.

PHOTO WAS SENT TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT

Stating that a local police officer took a photo of the attacker, Thomas Crooks, Rojek said, "The shooter was identified by law enforcement as a suspicious person." Explaining that the police officer sent the photo to other law enforcement personnel, Rojek said that about 30 minutes later, a SWAT team saw Crooks using a rangefinder and browsing news sites.

SEEN CARRYING A BACKPACK

Rojek said that Crooks was seen carrying a backpack at approximately 5:56 PM local time, less than 20 minutes before the attack, and was caught on a police vehicle's camera walking on the roof from which he fired at 6:08 PM local time.

TRUMP TO PROVIDE STATEMENT TO FBI

Stating that Trump, who has criticized the FBI, has agreed to participate in a standard victim interview that "will be consistent with all victim interviews conducted," Rojek said, "We want to get his perspective."

The FBI described Crooks as a loner who had no close friends or acquaintances, and whose social circle was primarily limited to immediate family members. The FBI said that Crooks made 25 firearm-related purchases using encrypted applications and bought six chemical substances used in the construction of explosive devices.

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON TRUMP

Trump was wounded in his right ear during an armed attack while speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. One person attending the rally lost their life and two others were injured in the attack, while the US Secret Service killed the 20-year-old attacker, Crooks, at the scene.

News Source: İHA