In a testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray unveiled new information about the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. According to Wray, the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had performed a Google search a week before the shooting, asking, "How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?" The search is believed to be significant in understanding the shooter's state of mind.

The search referenced Lee Harvey Oswald, who infamously killed President John F. Kennedy from a sniper's perch in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Wray pointed out that Crooks conducted this search on July 6, the same day he registered for the Trump rally scheduled for July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The FBI is currently investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism. The attack claimed the life of one rallygoer and left two others seriously injured. Crooks himself was killed by a Secret Service countersniper. As the investigation unfolds, questions regarding the shooter's motive and ideology remain unanswered.

FBI agents have built a thorough timeline of Crooks' movements and online activities, but they have not discovered any clear indications of a motive or ideological inclination. Wray emphasized that Crooks appeared to have taken an interest in public officials, given that he had photos of not only Trump but also Democratic President Joe Biden and several other prominent figures on his phone.

The shooter's fixation on Trump and the Butler rally became evident in his actions leading up to the incident. Crooks visited the rally site a week prior and returned on the morning of July 13. Just over two hours before the shooting took place, Crooks flew a drone approximately 200 yards from the rally stage for around 11 minutes. Wray stated that the drone was used for livestreaming and obtaining a "rearview mirror" perspective of the surroundings.

The use of the drone in such close proximity to the rally site raises concerns about security lapses. Additionally, on the afternoon of the rally, Crooks drew attention from law enforcement due to his suspicious behavior, including carrying a backpack while peering into a range finder pointed towards the rooftops behind the stage where Trump would soon appear.

Using mechanical equipment and vertical piping, Crooks managed to climb onto the roof of a nearby building situated just 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. From there, he fired eight shots using an AR-style rifle before being neutralized.

Wray also mentioned that the collapsible folding stock of Crooks' weapon may have aided him in avoiding detection within the crowd.

As the investigation continues, the FBI's assessment remains that Crooks acted alone. However, agents are still actively exploring all leads and motives. The agency's endeavor to unravel the shooter's intentions comes amidst a political maelstrom, with the incident casting a spotlight on security measures and raising concerns ahead of the upcoming presidential election.