Trump Rally Gunman Mass Shooting Plan Being Probed: Report

BUTLER, PA — Authorities continuing to hunt for a motive to July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump are investigating whether gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks might have been planning a mass shooting.

Meanwhile, mourning continued for the former fire chief killed in the attack.

A private funeral was held Friday morning for Corey Comperatore, 50, the Buffalo Township firefighter who died attempting to shield his family from gunfire at a Trump rally in Butler. On Thursday, hundreds of people attended his visitation in Freeport and Trump paid tribute to him at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The rally attack also seriously wounded two other spectators and left Trump with his a wound to his ear that was bandaged for the convention. A U.S. Secret Service sniper shot and killed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, who opened fire from a nearby rooftop.

Investigators continue to delve into Crooks' activities before the shooting. They have found he searched online multiple times for information on Trump and President Joe Biden, according to a CNN report on Friday. He also looked for information on a Michigan mass shooter and his parents, who were prosecuted in a 2021 high school shooting.

Citing an unnamed U.S. official briefed on the matter, CNN reported that one theory gaining traction with authorities is that Crooks was planning to carry out a mass shooting and that the rally provided a convenient opportunity for him to do so.

At the convention Thursday night, Comperatore's firefighter coat and helmet were onstage as Trump delivered his Republican presidential nomination acceptance speech. In a stirring moment, Trump approached the turnout coat and kissed the helmet.

"Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded two other great warriors, David Dutch and James Copenhaver," Trump said .

"I spoke to all three families of these tremendous people—our love and prayers are with them, and always will be. Corey, a highly respected former fire chief, was accompanied by his wife Helen and two precious daughters. He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He was such a fine man."

Following a moment of silence, Trump continued: "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others. This is the spirit that forged America in her darkest hours, and this is the
love that will lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness."