Explosive Devices Found in Suspected Shooter’s Car in Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

In a major revelation concerning the attempted assassination of former U.S. President and Republican nominee Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal has reported that explosive devices were discovered in the car of the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. The shocking information comes from unnamed sources familiar with the investigation.

According to the report, Crooks parked his car near the site of Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Both the Wall Street Journal and ABC News have confirmed that the gun used in the assassination attempt was purchased by Crooks’ father.

Law enforcement agencies are currently working to determine a motive behind the assassination attempt. Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, was neutralized by snipers deployed to protect the former President. He was armed with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and had positioned himself on the roof of a manufacturing plant about 200 feet from Trump’s rally.

Donald Trump Shot at During Pennsylvania Rally, Thanks Secret Service for Rapid Response

In his first account after surviving the attempt, Trump recalled that the bullet fired at him “pierced” the upper part of his right ear. He immediately knew something was wrong and credited God for preventing the unthinkable. He thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their rapid response and offered condolences to the family of a person who was killed and another who was injured at the rally. Despite the attempt on his life, Trump confirmed that he will address the GOP this week.

Crooks, who had no prior criminal history according to public court records of Pennsylvania, was registered as a Republican, the same party as Trump. However, he had donated money through ‘ActBlue,’ a Democratic party donation platform, to a liberal group called ‘Progressive Turnout Project’ on January 20, 2021—the day Joe Biden took office as President of the United States. At that time, Crooks was 17 years old.

This incident marks the 16th assassination attempt in U.S. history, with attempts having been made on 10 out of the 42 Presidents. Concerns and questions have been raised regarding the alleged security lapse or delayed response when the incident unfolded. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been called to appear before a House committee on July 22 to address these concerns.

Additionally, Attorney General Merrick Garland has assured the public that the Justice Department will bring the full force of its resources to investigate the shooting. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover more details about the attack and its motivations.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, the nation grapples with the implications for political security and the measures necessary to protect public figures in an increasingly polarized environment.