Trump shooting updates: Shooter flew drone near site hours before shooting

One spectator was killed and two were hurt in the shooting on July 13.

Last Updated: July 24, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT

Federal authorities are investigating after former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

The alleged shooter was killed by snipers. One spectator was killed and two were hurt, officials said.

    9 hours and 53 minutes ago

    Not clear if bullet or shrapnel hit Trump’s ear, Wray says

    It’s not clear if a bullet or shrapnel hit former President Donald Trump’s ear, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

    "With respect to former President Trump, there's some question about whether or not it's a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear," Wray said in response to a question from Chairman Jim Jordan asking whether the FBI has accounted for all bullets fired by the shooter. "It's conceivable, although as I sit here right now, I don't know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else. But I believe we've accounted for all the shots in the cartridges."

    FBI agents determined Crooks' father purchased the firearm used in the shooting in 2013 and sold it to his son in October 2023, Wray said.

    -ABC News’ Luke Barr and Alex Mallin

    1:42 PM EDT

    Shooter accessed roof using mechanical equipment on ground, piping on side of building

    The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, accessed the roof of the AGR building using mechanical equipment on the ground and piping on the side of the building, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

    Crooks visited a gun range a day before the shooting, Wray said.

    Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
    Evan Vucci/AP

    Authorities have interviewed Crooks’ parents, who Wray describe as "cooperative."

    "It's the FBI position right now that he still acted independently," he said.

    Wray said he was about to have dinner with family when he heard about the shooting. He said he was "horrified and angry."

    -ABC News’ Luke Barr

    1:18 PM EDT

    Gunman described as 'loner,' had few contacts in his phone

    It appears the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a "loner" and didn't have a lot of contacts in his phone, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

    "A lot of people describe him as a loner. That does kind of fit with what we're seeing in his devices, you know, his list of contacts, for example, is very short, compared to what you would normally see from most people. Doesn't appear to be a whole lot of interaction between him, you know, face-to-face or digital, with a lot of people," Wray said.

    The FBI has conducted over 400 interviews, with "many more to conduct," he said.

    -ABC News’ Luke Barr

    12:20 PM EDT

    Shooter's gun had 'collapsible stock,' which is easy to conceal

    The weapon used by the gunman had a "collapsible stock," meaning Thomas Matthew Crooks could easily conceal the gun at the rally, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

    "The weapon had a collapsible stock, which could explain why it might have been less easy for people to observe," he said.

    Police snipers are shown on a roof while Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024.
    Gene J. Puskar/AP

    Wray said that the shooter was not on the FBI's radar and there were no FBI assets at the rally.

    Wray said there were 14 guns in the home where Crooks lived.

    -ABC News’ Luke Barr

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