Esthen:Rally shooter had photos of Trump, Biden and other US officials on his phone, AP sources say

2025-05-05 09:49:22source:Wvared Investment Guildcategory:News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Esthen20-year-old Pennsylvania man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump had photos on his phone of the former Republican president, President Joe Biden and other officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Investigators searching Thomas Matthew Crooks’ devices have also found that the shooter looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention as well as Trump’s appearances, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition on anonymity to discuss details of the ongoing probe.

He also searched for “major depressive disorder,” according to three people familiar the investigation. But investigators have not yet determined whether he was actually diagnosed with the disorder, one of the people said. Studies have shown that the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, and experts say most people who are violent do not have mental illnesses.

On a conference call with reporters Sunday, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, said: “We have no indication of any mental health issues.”

RELATED COVERAGE Closing arguments in espionage trial of Wall Street Journal reporter will be Friday, court saysFormer Trump defense secretary urges Biden to do more to stop Iran’s threats on officialsUkraine defense chief says his nation will find a way no matter who wins US election

Investigators have been searching for any clues into what motivated Crooks to open fire at Saturday’s campaign rally in attempt to assassinate the GOP presidential nominee. The gunman killed one rallygoer and seriously wounded two others. Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt, appearing just days later at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a bandage over the wound.

The FBI has said they were investigating it as a potential act of domestic terrorism, but the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by the Secret Service has led conspiracy theories to flourish.

More:News

Recommend

How breaking emerged from battles in the burning Bronx to the Paris Olympics stage

NEW YORK — Chino Lopez, aka B-boy Action, took a page out of Wilt Chamberlain's book. His breaking c

Poland is shaken by reports that consular officials took bribes to help migrants enter Europe and US

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s conservative governing party was hoping to make migration a key campa

Thousands of 3rd graders could be held back under Alabama’s reading law, school chief warns

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s school chief said Thursday that 10,000 or more third graders could