Thomas Matthew Crooks Asked To Borrow Dad's AR-15-Style Rifle The Day Of The Shooting

The FBI continues to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was shot and killed at the scene moments after discharging rounds toward the former President.

While Trump survived the shooting, the life of one bystander was taken, and two others were left in critical condition.

The shooter used an AR-style rifle, which was recovered at the scene and later determined to be registered to Crooks' father. Now, it is being reported that Thomas Matthew Crooks asked his dad if he could borrow the firearm the morning of the shooting.

According to ABC News, Crooks allegedly asked his father to borrow his AR15-style rifle so he could go to a shooting range. A source told the outlet that the father had occasionally allowed Crooks to go target shooting with the semiautomatic firearm, so he did not find anything unusual when he allowed him to use the rifle again on Saturday.

Law enforcement is currently visiting local gun shops in the Pittsburgh area to gather details about Crooks' ammunition buying habits, including both in-store and online purchases. One of the shops being investigated is Allegheny Arms & Gun Works in Bethel Park, roughly a mile from Crooks' home.

"As a responsible member of our community, it is our prerogative to cooperate with law enforcement in every way. We are thankful that President Trump was not assassinated and our hearts and prayers go out to all victims of this horrible incident," Allegheny Arms said in a statement to ABC News. "Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and that of those affected we will not make any further statements."

Authorities stated that the federal investigation into the attempted assassination of the former president is still trying to figure out what the suspected gunman's motives were.

"The FBI has not identified a motive for the shooter's actions, but we are working to determine the sequence of events and the shooter's movements prior to the shooting, collecting and reviewing evidence, conducting interviews, and following up on all leads," the bureau said in the statement.

President Joe Biden also commented on Thomas Matthew Crooks's possible motive, telling the nation, "We don't know his opinions or affiliations. We don't know whether he had help or support or if he communicated with anyone else. Law enforcement professionals, as I speak, are investigating those questions."

Just moments before the shooting, witnesses in the crowd attempted to alert Secret Service agents to the armed suspect.

According to ABC, Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe confirmed that a Butler Township police officer climbed onto the roof in an effort to confront the gunman, who directed his weapon at the officer, prompting him to retreat.  Shortly thereafter, Crooks began firing in Trump's direction just as the 78-year-old turned his head to glance at a Jumbotron—a move that Trump is believed to have saved his life.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees the U.S. Secret Service, told "Good Morning America" host George Stephanopoulos, that the gunman should not have gotten that close to the former President.

"George, a direct line of sight like that to the former President of the United States should not occur," Mayorkas said. "We have to learn everything about the assailant who, of course, the Secret Service neutralized. We are going to really study the event independently and make recommendations to the Secret Service and to me so that we can assure the safety and security of our protectees which is one of our most vital missions in the Secret Service."

As the investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks' motive continues, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are looking into the potential for "follow-on" or "retaliatory" acts.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that some DVEs or other actors may attempt follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence in response to this assassination attempt," officials said, referring to "Domestic Violent Extremism."