
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI say they are worried about retaliatory attacks following the attempt on Donald Trump’s life. Reports indicate that threats have appeared on social media, as well as calls for violent revenge.
In a joint bulletin from the federal agencies, no possible targets were mentioned, but they warned that extremists have previously plotted against “perceived political or ideological opponents.” The warning comes as authorities classify the current political environment as polarized and in a state of “heightened threat.”
The agencies further noted that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who shot Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, striking his ear, had bomb-making equipment in his house and car. He had also ordered potentially hazardous materials on the internet in recent months.
Authorities are yet to determine what drove Crooks to attack Trump, and reports indicate that his father called the police to report that his son and his rifle were missing. Mr. Crooks made the call after Trump was shot, believing his son was the culprit. Law enforcement officers quickly attended the Crooks home in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, where they discovered more than a dozen firearms and a metal box containing explosive materials.
The FBI reported that its agents had seized the shooter’s phone and other devices and were conducting a thorough examination. Meanwhile, friends and neighbors told reporters that they were shocked to learn that the 20-year-old was responsible for the assassination attempt.
Acquaintances described him as an outsider who was bullied at high school. Jason Kohler, a former classmate, said Crooks would sit by himself at lunch and spent most of his time alone. Others told reporters that Crooks was prevented from joining the high school rifle club because he was such a bad shooter. None of his high school classmates remembered him expressing any political viewpoint.
His father, Mark Crooks, likewise said he was shocked and had no idea why his son would have taken such drastic action.