BETHAL PARK, Pennsylvania – A veteran police officer shared what the FBI is likely asking family, friends and acquaintances of would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks in its quest to determine a motive.
Ashton Packe, a retired Nevada police officer with 23 years of experience who also served on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, told Fox News Digital that agents are conducting a “deep investigation” into the 20-year-old's friends and family.
The FBI said Monday it conducted “nearly 100” interviews with law enforcement personnel, event attendees and other witnesses following the shooting at the 45th president's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Packe outlined four avenues through which federal law enforcement officials would question Crooks, as well as his family, friends and acquaintances.
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An undated image of Thomas Matthew Crooks (Released via AFP)
1. Who did you talk to?
Packe said the federal agency would interview and determine a timeline of events leading up to the attack, including conversations with attendees at the campaign rally.
“They will conduct a thorough investigation into his associates and friends,” he said.
Crooks grew up in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a town with a population of approximately 33,000 people.
The FBI has provided limited information about the results of its investigation, but said Monday it had access to Crooks' cellphone and laptop.
“FBI technical specialists were able to access Thomas Matthew Crooks' phone and are continuing to analyze his electronic devices,” the agency said in a statement. “The search of the subject's residence and vehicle has been completed.”
Investigators speak with neighbors about Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed while attempting to assassinate former President Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
2. What was your mood?
Packe said federal agents would want to conduct a full threat assessment as well as a psychological evaluation of Crooks.
“Experts from the FBI's behavioral analysis units would do a full threat and psychological assessment on him,” Packe said. “They're looking for any kind of radicalization process and what ideas might have led him to become kinetic.”
Packe noted that while many people have radical beliefs or ideas, very few put them into practice.
An unidentified man answers the door at the home of Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, named by the FBI as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination of former President Trump, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Aaron Josefczyk)
3. Was it inspired by a foreign entity or a nation-state?
“They want to make sure it wasn't a nation state, a terrorist group or a foreign government that conducted it,” Packe said.
Robert Wells, assistant director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, said the agency believes Crooks was a “lone actor.” The FBI had previously said it was investigating the attempted murder as a possible act of domestic terrorism.
“It appears to be a lone actor, but we still need to investigate further,” Wells said. “We are continuing to investigate this as an attempted murder, but we are also looking at it as a possible act of domestic terrorism.”
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4. Did he act alone?
“They want to make sure there's no additional threat from potential malicious actors,” Packe continued.
Fox News learned Tuesday that a Joint Intelligence Bulletin from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security was released this week and shared with multiple intelligence and law enforcement organizations warning of potential repeat attacks and retaliation following the shooting.
“We continue to face very real threats from those seeking to undermine our elections,” the bulletin reads in part. “The FBI remains vigilant in our efforts to detect and assess potential threats, and as always, we encourage the public to immediately report suspicious activity that could pose a threat to public safety.”
Undated file photo of Thomas Matthew Crooks (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Packe said the FBI hopes to root out and ensure “there is no conspiracy.”
“They also want to gather evidence to see if anyone helped him carry out this crime and make sure there was no conspiracy, such as someone who helped him buy ammunition or explosive material, who conducted pre-operational surveillance or who moved materials or equipment to the location,” he said.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. (Reuters/Callaghan O'Hare)
The shooting began shortly after Trump took the stage at the outdoor rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night.
Several loud bangs were heard and a bloodied Trump was carried off the stage, but not before throwing his fist into the crowd.
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A Secret Service agent shot and killed Crooks, the agency said.
