Investigators did an about-face Thursday, saying a threatening internet post attributed initially to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s would-be assassin was from a fake account.
Authorities walked back their suggestion that gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks posted the message “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds” on the gaming platform Steam, according to federal investigators who spoke with CBS News.
The post, when it was treated as legitimate, seemed to give investigators an idea about how much planning Crooks had put into the deadly shooting Saturday at Mr. Trump’s Pennsylvania rally.
The 20-year-old gunman shot and killed one man, wounded two others and bloodied Mr. Trump with a grazing wound to his ear during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
Secret Service snipers killed Crooks seconds after he let off his eight-round barrage into the crowd.
Material that hadn’t been debunked suggests that his motives were not ideological, as he appeared every bit as interested in Democratic targets.
Authorities said Thursday that Crooks’ phone and computer indicated that he had looked up President Biden’s speaking dates. He also searched for images of Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray and the date of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
He researched the term “major depressive disorder” before the attack as well.
Investigators have discovered that Crooks had two cellphones, according to Fox News.
The network reported that one of the phones had 27 contacts. The FBI is trying to contact the people listed on that phone.
In the latest detail that reflects badly on security for the event, it was revealed Thursday that the gunman’s odd behavior at the rally was noticed by local law enforcement an hour before the first shot rang out.
A local police officer saw Crooks acting strangely as the rally crowd swelled, according to The New York Times, and alerted the Secret Service and other authorities on site.
About 20 minutes before gunfire erupted, a Secret Service sniper spotted Crooks from far off and snapped a photo of him.
Two Butler Township officers directing traffic at the venue were pulled away to search for the suspicious character.
They found Crooks on a building roof about 150 yards away from the rally stage where Mr. Trump was speaking.
One officer helped boost another officer over the roof’s ledge to get a glimpse of the shooter. Crooks saw the officer and pointed his rifle at him, causing the officer to fall to the ground and take cover.
Crooks opened fire moments later.
Former fire chief Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed while shielding his family from the hail of bullets.
Earlier reporting suggested police snipers were stationed inside the building Crooks eventually used as his vantage point.
Those snipers saw Crooks on three different occasions: once while inspecting the roof from the ground, once while using a rangefinder and once while carrying a bag to the rear of the building.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said countersnipers were kept off the top of the building because the sloped roof was deemed a safety hazard.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, dismissed that rationale.
“Her explanation to the media that there was a slant on the roof so there was a safety concern,” he said. “Come on. It doesn’t wash.”
Mr. Johnson is setting up a bipartisan task force to investigate the security failures that nearly cost Mr. Trump his life.
The House Oversight and Reform Committee has subpoenaed Ms. Cheatle to testify on Monday. Although she has agreed in principle to testify, the Secret Service is still haggling with the panel over the exact date.
Mr. Wray confirmed that he would testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, though he declined the House Homeland Security Committee’s request that he testify Tuesday.
The Homeland Security Committee also is still awaiting a response on whether Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Ms. Cheatle will testify on Tuesday as requested.
• Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.