Trump shooter flew drone in rally area two hours before shooting, FBI director says

Trump shooter flew drone in rally area two hours before shooting, FBI director says

Speaking to the House Judiciary Committee, Wray revealed that “around 4 p.m.,” the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, “was flying the drone around the area” of the rally, approximately 200 yards from the stage.

The drone was in the air for approximately 11 minutes, and investigators believe Crooks watched a live feed from the drone on his phone. CNN previously reported that the drone was found in his car following the shooting.

In addition, Crooks had two explosives in his car at the time of the shooting and one in his home, but likely did not have the ability to detonate them from the roof where he was killed, Wray testified.

“It looks like because of the on/off position on the receivers, that if he had tried to detonate those devices from the roof, it would not have worked,” Wray said.

The FBI is investigating the shooting as both an attempted assassination and as a potential act of domestic terrorism.

Investigators say that Crooks fired approximately eight times from an AR-style rifle at the former president before being killed by a US Secret Service counter sniper.

FBI officials have repeatedly asserted that they believe the shooter acted alone, and used a rifle purchased legally by his father. On Wednesday, Wray reiterated that there is no evidence of any co-conspirators.

“I have been saying some time now that we are living in an elevated threat environment,” Wray said. “The shooter may be deceased but the FBI’s investigation is ongoing.”

Investigators have gone through the shooter’s phone and computer, scoured his search history and bedroom and have interviewed his family and friends, but have struggled to identify what motivated the 20-year-old would be assassin to act.

Crooks also had no prior contacts with the FBI, officials say, and had not been previously on their radar or databases.

The House Judiciary Committee hearing is ongoing.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

The incident has sparked intense discussions in the realm of politics, with many questioning the security measures in place for public events.

Given the use of a drone and explosives, some are calling for stricter regulations in the sale and use of such items to prevent future incidents.

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