The building that gunman Thomas Crooks climbed on top of and fired from was the staging area for the police tactical team, according to ABC News. The location was intended for local police to keep an overwatch of the crowd. However, this strategic position was exploited by Crooks, leading investigators to question how he gained roof access.
In their ongoing investigation, the FBI has gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone and is analyzing his electronic devices. The FBI has completed searches of Crooks’ home and car. Officials have classified the incident as an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and as potential domestic terrorism.
Nearly 100 law enforcement officials, attendees, and witnesses have been interviewed. Despite this, the investigation continues. On the day of the shooting, Crooks, a 20-year-old, told his father that he wanted to go to the gun range. His father allowed him to use his AR-15-style rifle, not suspecting any ill intent since Crooks would occasionally go target shooting.
JUST IN: The building that Thomas Crooks climbed on top of and fired from was the staging area for the police tactical team according to ABC News.
Holy sh*t.
“The building where gunman Thomas Crooks scrambled onto the roof and opened fire was the staging area for the local… pic.twitter.com/QRZNGB8XXy
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 15, 2024
Crooks had recently purchased ammunition both online and in person, raising further questions. Investigators are trying to determine whether roof access had been properly secured, especially since Crooks gained roof access without using a ladder.
In light of the shooting, security planners have reassessed and revised their plans for President Joe Biden’s visit to Las Vegas this week. Heightened security and additional federal agents are expected to be on-site from Monday to Wednesday for several events.
However, the Secret Service announced that there are no plans to change security measures for the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s RNC coordinator, stated that the security planning for the RNC had been ongoing for 18 months and is already designated as a high-level security event.
FBI Special Agent Michael Hensle noted that there is no specific articulated threat to the RNC or any individual attendee, but there is a higher level of online chatter following the assassination attempt. The incident has undeniably heightened awareness and scrutiny on current and upcoming events, but law enforcement officials maintain their confidence in the existing security measures.
