Explosive devices were found inside car of the gunman who tried and failed to assassinate former President Donald Trump during his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Thomas Matthew Crooks‘ car was located close to the rally venue in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to sources close to the investigation.
Investigators told The Wall Street Journal that multiple suspicious packages were found in the shooter’s general location, which prompted bomb squad teams to be dispatched to the area.
Bomb squad teams conducted a search of at least one vehicle on Saturday, while efforts remain underway to find more clues to what the shooter had planned.
Footage captured by CBS News showed an Allegheny County bomb squad vehicle arriving at the suspected gunman’s home in Bethel Park on Sunday.
Crooks fired around 8-10 shots toward former President Trump around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Trump was struck by a bullet, which grazed his ear, while one bystander, identified as former Buffalo Township fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed after being struck in the head.
Several other Trump rally attendees were injured, and at least two of them critically.
The gunman opened fire on a rooftop a little more than 100 yards from where Trump was speaking.
Two snipers thwarted Crooks’ assassination attempt almost immediately after he opened fire.
An “AR-style” rifle was recovered from the roof near the gunman’s body, with reports saying the firearm had belonged to the shooter’s father.
The building Crooks fired from was outside the security perimeter, according to the Secret Service.
Investigators are now probing reports of bystanders who witnessed the gunmen before he began shooting.
Here are some new angles from the shooting:
Trump was treated at a Pennsylvania hospital for ear wounds before departing his private plane at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Watch
Former President Trump steps off his plane in New Jersey, making his first public appearance just hours after surviving an assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally. pic.twitter.com/5hK26tmYPC
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 14, 2024
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday morning:
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”
“We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.”
“Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”
“I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
