Trump shooter Thomas Crooks carried a detonator and had planned a distraction, says law enforcement

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: Thomas Crooks was shot dead by US Secret Service snipers on Saturday, July 13 after firing at former President Donald Trump during his rally address in Pennsylvania.

The gunman's cellphone was found next to a remote detonator, a rectangular grey device with a keypad resembling a television remote control, according to an image published by Pittsburgh's WPXI.

Earlier, it was reported that explosive materials, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest were found inside the 20-year-old's car by investigating FBI agents, per DailyMail.

CNN reported that the bombs were connected to the detonator. Additionally, Crooks caught the attention of security personnel assigned at the Butler rally shortly after he arrived at approximately 3 pm.

What were Thomas Crooks’ intentions following assassination attempt on Donald Trump?

Four days after the shooting incident, law enforcement authorities have not commented on what they suspect Crooks may have planned to do.

The United States Secret Service is under intense scrutiny for its failure to protect the event effectively.

After obtaining the exclusive photo, Nicole Ford of Channel 11 disclosed that Crooks was spotted by law enforcement agents outside the single-story AGR International building, from where the former president was shot.

This additional detail comes after local law enforcement officers explicitly refuted Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle's assertion that a Beaver County sniper team was stationed in the same building where the ex-president was shot.

It was revealed on Tuesday that the assassin drove 50 miles north from his residence in Bethel Park, on the southern outskirts of Pittsburgh, and entered the rally's security area three hours before launching his attack.

When Crooks attempted to enter the site at 3 pm, he set off a metal detector, and it was discovered that he was carrying a rangefinder, a type of rifle sight that marksmen and hunters generally use when they are getting ready to shoot long-range.

However, the official claimed that security guards let him in while monitoring him till he departed the restricted area shortly after.

Crooks then disappeared from sight until shortly before 5.45 pm, when an officer from the Beaver County Police Department noticed him acting suspiciously near the outer border and photographed him.

A group of police snipers stationed in the AGR International building allegedly observed him outside three times in the minutes before the attack, according to statements made on Monday.

A law enforcement official told CBS that no action was taken after one of the snipers first noticed Crooks staring up at the building's roof.

One of the snipers took a picture of the gunman when he was spotted sitting down and staring at his phone after disappearing around a corner the first time. When the sniper saw Crooks pull out his rangefinder, he radioed to a command post.

However, no action was taken until Crooks made a third appearance, this time walking to the back of the building, wearing a backpack, and disappearing from view.

The sniper crew, unaware that Crooks was now scaling the building, sent in a second radio report with the information.

A Butler Township police officer confronted Crooks less than seven minutes after he was on the roof with a gun, according to various sources that Channel 11 reported on Tuesday.

That officer fled as Crooks swung his AR-style rifle in his direction, leaving the killer free to aim at his target.

Crooks had no social media presence, so investigators are still trying to piece together why he did what he did. They are hoping that his cell phone contains some more information on his intentions.

However, they discovered a bulletproof vest, three fully loaded magazines carrying around 100 bullets, and two remote-controlled explosive devices in Crooks' car following the incident on Tuesday.

Later, at the home he and his parents shared a third remote-controlled bomb and another bulletproof vest were found.

Concerns have been raised by the latest finding that Crooks was carrying a transmitter, suggesting that if he had managed to flee the roof alive, he would have been prepared to carry out his murderous rampage with the assistance of another accomplice.