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By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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As the investigation into the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, remains ongoing, more details have been revealed on Sunday about suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks' weapons arsenal.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was speaking at his rally in Butler on Saturday afternoon when shots began to ring out. The former president was then seen grabbing his right ear with blood coming down his face as security agents descended. The suspected gunman, now identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as 20-year-old Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by the Secret Service. In addition, a rally attendee was also killed during the incident and two others were critically injured.
With the FBI as the lead agency on the investigation, working alongside the Secret Service and local law enforcement, more details are emerging about Crooks' efforts before the shooting including weapons he had in his possession.
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On Sunday, it was revealed the firearm recovered at the scene of the shooting was legally purchased by Crooks' father after an urgent trace was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ABC News reported citing multiple law enforcement sources.
However, according to the Associated Press, law enforcement officials said federal agents are still working to understand when and how Crooks, who has no military affiliation, obtained the gun.
This comes after law enforcement swarmed a home in Bethel Park, believed to be connected to Crooks. According to CBS News, the road to the home, which is located on Milford Drive, was shutdown and neighbors have been evacuated.
The Bethel Park Police Department said there is a bomb investigation surrounding Crooks' home, according to CBS News. Law enforcement officials have also told the AP there were bomb-making materials found at the suspect's home.
Newsweek has reached out to Bethel Park Police Department via email for comment.
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Authorities have since found similar items of concern inside Crooks' car, which was parked outside the Trump rally.
According to The New York Times on Sunday, citing people briefed on the investigation, authorities found two explosive devices in Crooks' car. The Wall Street Journal also reported that police received multiple reports of suspicious packages near where Crooks' car was, prompting them to dispatch bomb technicians.
According to law enforcement sources who spoke with ABC News, the bomb technicians and other experts were called to investigate, but it is unclear if the items were suspicious or potentially harmful. However, law enforcement officials told the AP that bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle.
A local media report indicates that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. He was reportedly a registered Republican voter, although media reports indicate he donated $15 to a left-leaning campaign group in early 2021.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, investigative reporter for local CBS News affiliate Meghan Schiller, shared details from a former classmate of Crooks who described his character.
"We are hearing from the first classmate of Thomas Crooks. His Bethel Park classmate described him as a loner who was bullied relentlessly and wore 'hunting' outfits often in class," she wrote.
Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN on Saturday night that he would "wait until I talk to law enforcement" before speaking publicly about his son.
Update 7/14/24, 2:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information. The headline was also changed.
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