Trump Rally Shooter Left Chilling Message Ahead Of Attack

BUTLER, PA — Thomas Matthew Crooks appears to have left an online message telegraphing an impending attack before his attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump, investigators have learned.

New details into Crooks' activities before the July 13 shooting are emerging, even as questions surrounding his motive remain. Also unanswered is the question of how the massive security breaches that enabled him to open fire at the Trump rally occurred.

Investigators briefed members of Congress by phone Wednesday before the start of formal hearings into the July 13 shooting, multiple news outlets reported. The attack killed a spectator and wounded Trump and two others attending the event for the former president.

A U.S. Secret Service sniper killed Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, who opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Crooks was identified as a suspicious person and photographed one hour before he began shooting, according to an NBC News report.

A search of Crooks' phone included photos of both Trump, President Joe Biden and other prominent politicians, CNN reported Thursday. His search history included dates of next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago as well as future Trump events.

Investigators also unearthed a message to the Steam gaming platform believed to be written by Crooks that stated "July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds," ABC News reported.

Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Butler County, died while shielding family members from shots fired by Crooks. The spectators in the shooting were David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington and Thomas Copenhaver, 74, of Moon. Trump sustained an ear wound.

Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday evening at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver for a vigil for Comperatore, the former Butler Township fire chief. A visitation will occur today at Laube Hall in Freeport, with a private funeral scheduled for Friday.

The New York Post reported on Wednesday that Trump would attend the funeral, citing an anonymous source. The newspaper later backtracked, reporting Trump would not be able to appear.

Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday night mentioned the fallen firefighter during a speech delivered at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, prompting chants of "Corey! Corey!" from delegates on the convention floor.

Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on Wednesday upgraded the condition of Dutch and Copenhaven from critical to stable. Several hours later, the Dutch family issued its first public comments since the shooting.

"The Dutch family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the greater western Pennsylvania community and countless others across the country and world for the incredible outpouring of prayers and well wishes for David," a release from the family stated.

"David and our entire family are especially grateful to all the first responders and medical professionals who saved his life, including the Life Flight and trauma surgical teams at AGH. As we focus on David's recovery, we also offer our deepest condolences and prayers for the other victims of this tragic event and their families."

The Copenhaven family expressed similar sentiments in a statement released Tuesday.

On Wednesday, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-TN, invited several members of Pennsylvania state and local law enforcement to testify before the panel at a July 23 hearing on the assassination attempt.

Expected to appear are Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris, Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe and Butler Township Police Department Lt. Matthew Pearson of the Butler Township Police Department.

“As we continue to gather all the facts about the cowardly attempt on President Trump’s life on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, the accounts and experiences of state and local law enforcement professionals with direct knowledge of these events will be critical," Green said in a statement.

"Our goal is to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again, and I very much look forward to working with these officials in order to accomplish that critical objective. And as always, the committee remains deeply grateful for the service of the men and women of state and local law enforcement.”

Federal officials expected to testify at the hearing Tuesday include U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Cheatle also is slated to appear Monday at a House Oversight Committee meeting.