Live updates from Senate hearing: Trump rally shooter visited site six days early
Live updates from Senate hearing: Trump rally shooter visited site six days early
The 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump visited the rally site six days in advance as part of advanced planning for the attack, according to FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate.
Abbate disclosed the July 7 visit by Thomas Matthew Crooks during testimony Tuesday at a hearing held by two Senate committees on the assassination attempt against Trump, saying Crooks was at the site for about 20 minutes in what the FBI believes was a reconnaissance visit.
Abbate also revealed that, while investigators haven't yet determined a motive, they have uncovered a social media account they think is associated with Crooks, although the account is still being verified. The account posted more than 700 comments around 2019-2020.
"Some of these comments, if ultimately attributable to the shooter, appear to reflect anti-Semitic and anti-immigration themes, to espouse political violence, and are described as extreme in nature," Abbate said during his opening remarks.
Later, Abbate committed to Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, that he would let the public and senators know if and when the FBI confirms the posts came from Crooks.