Authorities reveal the Crooks family's possession of numerous firearms and the father's legal sale of the rifle used by his son to attempt to assassinate former President Trump, shedding new light on the circumstances of the foiled attack.
## Article:
Trump Shooter's Family Had Multiple Firearms in Their Home, Father Legally Sold Son the Weapon Used in Attempted Assassination
**Bethel Park, Pa.** - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray has disclosed that the family of Thomas Crooks, the would-be assassin who targeted former President Trump in Pennsylvania, had over a dozen firearms in their home. Director Wray also confirmed that the weapon used in the assassination attempt was legally purchased by the shooter's father, Matthew Crooks.
"We located a number of firearms associated with the shooter and his family," Wray informed the House Judiciary Committee during his testimony. "I think it was a total of ... 14 in the house."
Trump Shooter's Family Had Multiple Firearms in Their Home, Father Legally Sold Son the Weapon Used in Attempted Assassination
Wray further elaborated that the AR-style rifle used by Crooks in the attempted assassination was purchased legally. "We believe, based on what we've seen, that his father, after purchasing the gun, legally sold the gun to his son," Wray said.
This revelation coincides with the first public sighting of Mary Crooks, the mother of the would-be assassin, since her son opened fire at the rally in Butler. Together with her husband, Matthew Crooks, she was seen entering their Bethel Park home on Wednesday evening.
Trump Shooter's Family Had Multiple Firearms in Their Home, Father Legally Sold Son the Weapon Used in Attempted Assassination
During his testimony, Director Wray characterized the younger Crooks as "a fairly avid shooting enthusiast." In addition to the AR-15 and its magazines, law enforcement officials discovered a bulletproof vest and rudimentary explosive devices inside Crooks' car after he was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
The FBI director emphasized that the agency is actively investigating the motivation behind the attack that almost killed Trump, wounded two rallygoers, and claimed the life of retired volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore on July 13. To this end, the bureau's behavioral analysis unit is developing a psychological profile of the shooter.
Thomas Crooks' father, Matthew, has declined to comment on his son's actions, stating that the family will release a statement upon the advice of their legal counsel. Despite the family's request for privacy, Matthew Crooks was seen shopping at a local supermarket near their home.
The FBI has conducted over 400 interviews as part of their ongoing investigation into the shooting. While the bureau typically refrains from discussing such inquiries, Wray emphasized that the attempted assassination of a former president constituted an attack on democracy and warranted public disclosure.
The revelations regarding the Crooks family's firearms, the father's involvement in the sale of the weapon used in the assassination attempt, and the suspect's apparent interest in shooting have shed further light on the circumstances surrounding this foiled plot.
