During a recent Congressional hearing, FBI Director Christopher Wray disclosed unsettling details about Thomas Crooks, the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Among the revelations was Crooks’ online search history, which included a query about the distance between Lee Harvey Oswald and President John F. Kennedy during the 1963 assassination. This detail, combined with other findings, paints a troubling picture of Crooks' preparations and intentions.

On July 6, a week before the assassination attempt, Crooks, aged 20, conducted an online search using the phrase, “how far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” This search, according to Wray, indicates a disturbing interest in historical assassination tactics and methods. Additionally, Crooks possessed a firearm equipped with a collapsible stock, which likely facilitated the concealment of the weapon and its transport to the scene.

The FBI director explained that the collapsible stock might be why witnesses did not notice Crooks carrying the weapon before the incident and why it was not detected until he was already on the roof of the venue. Crooks fired at least eight shots from this elevated position during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, two hours before the event began.

In Crooks' vehicle, authorities recovered a drone, its controller, and two remotely detonated explosive devices. Although a transmitter was found on Crooks, Wray noted that it appears the remote detonation system “would not have worked.” Eight bullet cartridges were discovered on the roof alongside the shooter’s body.

Crooks had purchased a 5-foot ladder, as evidenced by a bloodied receipt found on him, but the ladder itself was not located at the scene. The FBI has yet to determine how Crooks accessed the roof of the venue.

Key questions about the shooting remain unresolved, especially following the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the former director of the Secret Service. Cheatle's departure came after accusations from Republicans that she had not fully cooperated with the House Oversight Committee.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, emphasized the need for a comprehensive timeline of the events leading up to the shooting. The Congressional hearings this week are expected to shed more light on how Crooks evaded law enforcement and the precise sequence of his actions.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris revealed to the House Homeland Security Committee that Crooks had been flagged as suspicious before the shooting due to his unusual behavior and presence with a rangefinder. Despite this, Crooks was not classified as a direct threat until moments before he opened fire, resulting in injuries to former President Trump, the death of one rallygoer, and injuries to two others.

The evolving investigation underscores the complexity of preventing such violent acts and highlights the critical need for thorough and timely responses to potential threats.