The FBI has apparently completed their examination of failed assassin Thomas Matthew Crook’s phone, and it has revealed… not much.
It’s unclear as to whether Crook could have cleared any data off of his phone before Saturday’s attempt.
An examination of his phone, which the FBI has now unlocked, has not turned up any significant information about the suspect’s motives — only what sources described as “routine” information for a 20-year-old male. Thus far, investigators have turned up nothing to suggest that he had any accomplices or other support to carry out his deadly objective.
Crook also apparently had a tactical vest with him on that day, but did not wear it during the shooting; it’s important to note that a “tactical” vest is not necessarily the same thing as body armor. Some tactical vests – a very broad category – can accept body armor panels, although it’s unknown what sort of vest Crook had.
Investigators also found a tactical vest in the suspect’s car, though it is unclear why he did not wear it during the assault on the former president’s rally. Some investigators are wondering whether he anticipated dying in the attack.
The shooter also asked his employer if he could take a day off on Saturday but said he would return to work perhaps as soon as Sunday, the day after this attack, according to law enforcement sources. But thus far, investigators have turned up nothing to suggest that he had any accomplices or other support to carry out his deadly objective.
The FBI also examined what appeared to be a transmitter along with apparent explosive devices in his car.
The receivers in each device were connected to a series of components that investigators say met the “eye test” — having parts present that could have made viable devices, although the functionality of the devices is still being determined. The purpose of the devices is also unknown. Whether they were intended to cause a significant blast effect and hurt people or if they were designed to create smoke, fire and a low-grade blast for a diversion is unclear.
Taking all of this together, it paints a picture of a disaffected loner, who saw an opportunity when Donald Trump held a rally at a nearby community and took advantage of it. But the preparation of what appear to be explosives indicates planning some time; while few details have yet been released about the supposed explosive devices, what we do no would not appear to be something that can be thrown together overnight.
In other words, Thomas Crook had been planning something for some time. If he had not made the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, he may well have carried out some other atrocity, perhaps in a venue where he would not have been stopped so quickly.
It’s hard to understand the motivations of a person like this; but, as the late, great Paul Harvey was fond of pointing out, you shouldn’t be able to understand the motives of people like Thomas Crook, because “then we’d have to worry about you.”