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FBI releases new photos and details of Trump shooting probe, finding gunman had “mixture of ideologies”

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Washington — The FBI on Wednesday released four new photos from its investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, as well as new information about what the bureau has learned about the shooter.

The FBI’s investigation into the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 remains ongoing, and the bureau has still not identified a motive or evidence that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, worked with any others.

But Kevin Rojek, head of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said investigators “believe [Crooks] ended in detailed attack planning.” Rojek said agents have determined Crooks had a “mixture of ideologies” and investigators continue to analyze his online presence.

The first photo made public by the FBI shows Crooks’ rifle, which was recovered from the shooting site. The firearm was as AR-style rifle made by DPMS Panther Arms and had an extendible rear stock and an optical sight attached to the rail, the FBI said.

extended-rifle-pic.jpg
The rifle Thomas Crooks used in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump as seen in a photo released by the FBI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

FBI


The second photo from the FBI shows Crooks’ rifle broken-down and pictured alongside a backpack he was seen wearing at the site of Trump’s rally in Butler. FBI Director Chris Wray told House lawmakers last month that Crooks’ gun had a collapsible stock, which he said could explain why rally-attendees didn’t see him with it.

Wray said the first people at the rally who saw Crooks with a gun observed him when he was on the roof of the so-called AGR building, where he opened fire.

The disassembled rifle and the backpack Thomas Crooks used to transport it, as seen in a photo released by the FBI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
The disassembled rifle and the backpack Thomas Crooks used to transport it, as seen in a photo released by the FBI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

FBI


The third photo released by the FBI shows two improvised explosive devices that were discovered in the trunk of Crooks’ car.

The FBI said the receiver for remote detonation was in the “off” position, and the “devices had several problems in the way they were constructed.”

Wray testified before Congress that the FBI recovered a total of three “relatively crude” devices: two from Crooks’ vehicle and one from his residence. The gunman had a transmitted that would’ve allowed him to detonate the devices in his car remotely, but the receivers were turned off, he said.

Two explosive devices found in Thomas Crooks' car, as seen in a photo released by the FBI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
Two explosive devices found in Thomas Crooks’ car, as seen in a photo released by the FBI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

FBI


The fourth and final photo from the FBI is an image of the air conditioning unit that Crooks’ used to gain access to the roof of the AGR building. The photo is not an evidence photo, but was take during a tour of the rally site in the days after the assassination attempt, according to the FBI.

The air conditioning unit that the FBI says Thomas Crooks used to access the roof where he opened fire, as seen in a photo taken by FBI Pittsburgh and released on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
The air conditioning unit that the FBI says Thomas Crooks used to access the roof where he opened fire, as seen in a photo taken by FBI Pittsburgh and released on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.

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911 calls released in deadly Georgia school shooting

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A Georgia county’s emergency call center was overwhelmed by calls on Sept. 4 about a school shooting at Apalachee High School that killed four people and wounded nine others, records released Friday by Barrow County show.

Local news organizations report many of the 911 phone calls were not released under public record requests because state law exempts from release calls recording the voice of someone younger than 18 years old. That exemption would cover calls from most of the 1,900 students at the school in Winder, northeast of Atlanta.

Calls spiked around 10:20 a.m., when authorities have said that 14-year-old suspect Colt Gray began shooting. Many calls were answered with an automated message saying there was a “high call volume,” WAGA-TV reported.

One man called 911 after receiving text messages from a girlfriend. He was put on hold for just over 10 minutes because of an influx of calls at the time of the shooting, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

“She hears people yelling outside, so I don’t know if that’s officers in the building or that’s — I don’t know,” he said, adding that she was eventually evacuated out of the school.

Other adults also called 911 after their children contacted them.

“My daughter calling me crying. Somebody go ‘boom, boom, boom, boom,'” one mother said. The 911 operator responded: “Ma’am we have officers out there, OK?”

Parents of students at an elementary school and middle school neighboring Apalachee also flooded 911 seeking information.

“Sir, my daughter goes to school next door to Apalachee. Is there a school shooter?” one caller asked.

“We do have an active situation (at) Apalachee High School right now,” the operator responded. “We have a lot of calls coming in.”

More than 500 radio messages between emergency personnel were also released Friday.

“Active shooter!” an officer yells in one audio clip while speaking with a dispatcher, CNN reported. Another officer responds, “Correct. We have an active shooter at Apalachee High School.”

The shooting killed teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, as well as students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, with seven of those hit by gunfire.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported Thursday that the suspect rode the school bus on the day of the shooting with the assault-style rifle concealed in his backpack.

He then asked a teacher for permission to go to the front office to speak with someone, and when he received it, he was allowed to take his backpack with him, GBI said. He then went to a restroom, where he hid, and then eventually took out the weapon and started shooting, investigators said. A knife was also found on him when he was arrested.

According to investigators, the suspect enrolled at Apalachee High on Aug. 14, and between Aug. 14 and the day of the shooting, he was absent for nine days of school.

The family told CBS News that the suspect’s maternal grandmother had visited the school the day before the massacre to discuss the suspect’s alleged behavioral issues. 

The suspect has been charged as an adult with four counts of murder, and District Attorney Brad Smith has said more charges are likely to be filed against him in connection with the wounded. Authorities have also charged his father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, alleging that he gave his son access to the gun when he knew or should have known that the teen was a danger to himself and others.

The 13,000 students at Barrow County’s other schools returned to class Tuesday. The 1,900 students who attend Apalachee are supposed to start returning the week of Sept. 23, officials said Friday.



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Pope says Trump, Harris are both “against life”

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Pope says Trump, Harris are both “against life” – CBS News


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Speaking to reporters Friday, Pope Francis made clear he doesn’t agree with former President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, or Vice President Kamala Harris’ stance on abortion.

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9/13: CBS News Weekender – CBS News

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9/13: CBS News Weekender – CBS News


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Lana Zak has the latest on Boeing factory workers going on strike for the first time in 16 years, an update from the Starliner astronauts still on the International Space Station, and how you can combat election anxiety.

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