Trump attacker flew drone over rally site WSJ

The shooter is said to have studied the location extensively

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who tried to assassinate former US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at a Pennsylvania farm last Saturday, had previously flown a drone over the site several times, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The would-be assassin was able to capture aerial footage of the site hours before the July 13 attack, anonymous law enforcement officials with knowledge of the matter told the WSJ. The thugs apparently launched the craft at the site more than once.

The shooter likely began canvassing the site shortly after the event was announced earlier this month. Crooks reportedly showed up for the rally on July 7 and visited the site a few days later.

Officials said he also conducted extensive internet searches for dates of other Trump rallies.

However, the evidence found so far does not provide a conclusive picture of the motive for the attack. Crooks is also said to have been looking for information about Joe Biden and the Democratic National Convention scheduled for next month.

The WSJ report raises further questions about the lack of security at the Trump event and the actions of the Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting the ex-president.

Trump narrowly escaped death in the attack. The gunman managed to fire at least six shots at the Republican candidate before he was killed by a counter-sniper team. Trump walked away from the assassination attempt with a bullet that grazed his ear. One rallygoer was killed and two were seriously wounded by the gunman.

(RT.com)