An investigation is continuing into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, who appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee Monday night — the first time he has been seen in public since he was shot and injured at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The crowd at the convention cheered Trump, whose ear was bandaged after it was hit by a bullet on Saturday.
Details are emerging about the moments that led up to the shooting. Bystanders alerted law enforcement to the gunman on the roof of a building about 410 feet away from the stage at least two minutes before the first shot was fired at Trump, video analyzed by CBS News shows.
A sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at the rally took a picture of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder minutes before he tried to assassinate the former president, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News.
The sniper was one of three members of local tactical teams who were stationed inside the building that the shooter used in the attack, the officer said. The operations plan had them stationed inside, looking out windows toward the rally, scanning the crowd. The details about the three snipers were first reported by the local news outlet BeaverCountian.com.
The FBI is investigating whether the shooter — Thomas Matthew Crooks — was a politically motivated homegrown domestic violent extremist, and investigators are still combing through his background. Justice Department officials told reporters that investigators have the shooter's phone and were examining it at the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia.
A federal law enforcement bulletin obtained by CBS News identified the gunman as "an apparent lone attacker," warning violent extremists could try to conduct "follow-on or retaliatory" attacks over the next few months, related to November's election.
The gunman killed Corey Comperatore, a firefighter. Trump and two others — 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver — were injured.
U.S. intelligence recently detected Iranian plot against Trump, officials say
U.S. intelligence recently detected an Iranian plot against former President Donald Trump, and the information was shared with the Secret Service before Saturday's event in Pennsylvania, two U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.
The National Security Council said it has been tracking Iranian threats against the former president for years, though no ties have been identified between Saturday's shooting and a foreign actor.
In response to the intelligence, the Secret Service said it is constantly receiving new information about potential threats, but wouldn't comment on specific threats.
"The Secret Service and other agencies are constantly receiving new potential threat information and taking action to adjust resources, as needed," Anthony Guglielmi, U.S. Secret Service Chief of Communication, said on Tuesday.
After learning of the increased threat from Iran, the NSC directly contacted the Secret Service at a senior level to make sure the agency continued to track the latest reporting, a national security official told CBS News. The Secret Service shared the information with Trump's security detail, and the Trump campaign was made aware of an evolving threat.
In response, the Secret Service had increased resources and assets for the protection of Trump before Saturday, the official said.
"These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani," NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.
Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, a prominent Iranian general, in early 2020. The former president took a hardline approach to Iran during his administration and withdrew from the nuclear deal brokered with Iran under the Obama administration.
"We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority," Watson said, adding, "At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified ties between the shooter and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic."
A Trump campaign spokesperson declined to comment on the former president's security detail.
Trump and JD Vance to hold rally in Michigan on Saturday
Trump and his newly-announced vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance, will hold a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20, one week after an attempt on the former president's life.
In an announcement, the Trump campaign did not mention the shooting, but said it would be the pair's first appearance since officially accepting the Republican nomination for president and vice president.
Both are expected to speak at the rally, which is scheduled to be held at the Van Andel Arena at 5 p.m. ET.
Sniper took picture of Trump rally shooter before attack, source says
A sniper from a local tactical team deployed to assist the U.S. Secret Service at Trump's rally took a picture of the gunman and saw him looking through a rangefinder minutes before he tried to assassinate the former president, a local law enforcement officer with direct knowledge of the events told CBS News.
The sniper was one of three snipers, members of local tactical teams, who were stationed inside the building that the shooter used in the attack, the officer said. The operations plan had them stationed inside, looking out windows toward the rally, scanning the crowd. The details about the three snipers were first reported by the local news outlet BeaverCountian.com.
One sniper inside spotted the gunman outside and looking up at the roof, observing the building and disappearing, according to the officer who spoke to CBS News. The sniper observed the gunman as he returned to the building, sat down and looked at his phone. At that point, one of the local snipers took a picture of him.
Next, the local sniper observed the gunman looking through a rangefinder, an instrument routinely used by marksmen to determine the distance of a target, and he immediately radioed to the command post, according to the local law enforcement officer. The local sniper also attempted to send the photo of the gunman up the chain of command.
— CBS News' Nicole Sganga and Anna Schecter
Increased security expected at U.S. Capitol, but no credible threats to members, Senate Sergeant at Arms says
There are "no specific or credible threats" to the U.S. Capitol or its members after the attempted assassination, according to a notice from the Senate Sergeant of Arms reviewed by CBS News.
The notice cautioned that there will be a "higher than normal Capitol Police presence" in the upcoming weeks, including "increased K-9 sweeps, security checks and other proactive security measures."
— CBS News' Nicole Killion
FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security heads asked to testify
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, has invited multiple officials to testify in an oversight committee hearing examining the assassination attempt on Trump.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI director Christopher Wray and Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle have all been invited to testify before the committee on July 23.
"It is imperative that we partner to understand what went wrong, and how Congress can work with the departments and agencies to ensure this never happens again," Green said in a statement. "Successful oversight requires Congress to work together with these officials as they testify publicly before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The American people, and the individuals and families who receive protective services, deserve nothing less."
Green previously sent a letter to Mayorkas demanding the security plan for the site of Trump's rally, communications related to protective resources on Trump's security detail, and briefing materials used to tell President Biden about the assassination attempt.
Shooter bought a ladder before Trump rally
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News the shooter purchased a ladder at Home Depot prior to the shooting, but it is unclear if he brought the ladder to the rally venue on Saturday. This was first reported by CNN.
Home Depot said in a statement, "we condemn the violence against former President Trump, and our thoughts are with him, the other victims of Saturday's horrific events, and their families."
— CBS News' Nicole Scanga and Adam Yamaguchi
Neighbors of Trump rally shooter react to investigation
Authorities have searched the home of the man who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump – putting a small town in Pennsylvania in the spotlight of the investigation.
One anonymous neighbor told CBS News Pittsburgh that he had to disconnect his phone after receiving 100 calls from around the world related to the shooting, which killed a rally attendee and injured Trump and two others.
A person was seen walking a suitcase into the shooter's home on Monday night. The person did not respond to media questions, and could not be immediately identified, CBS News Pittsburgh reported.
Some neighbors recalled interactions with the gunman and his family.
"I had a really pleasant conversation with them," said Alleghany County councilman Dan Grzybek, who lives on the same street as the shooter and visited the home while campaigning. "I got the perception they were nice people."
Grzybek said he fears the shooter's actions will "result in further political violence."
"I think people are worried that conspiracy theorists are going to come to the area and do something not particularly smart," he said.
Cellphone video shows security failures
Cellphone video taken Saturday shows rally attendees pointing toward the shooter and trying to alert authorities to his presence — a full two minutes before the 20-year-old fired at Trump.
Less than 15 seconds before the shots, people are seen running away from the area. Moments later, some in the crowd begin shouting that the man on the roof has a gun.
The gunman killed Corey Comperatore, a firefighter. He also wounded two others aside from Trump: 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver.
Seconds later, a Secret Service counter sniper fatally shot Crooks.
— CBS News' Charlie De Mar and Kelsie Hoffman
FBI conducts nearly 100 interviews
The FBI said it had conducted nearly 100 interviews of law enforcement officials, attendees at the rally and other witnesses as of Monday afternoon, as it investigates the attack as a potential act of domestic terrorism.
It has also received hundreds of digital media tips, according to a press release, but has not identified a clear ideological motive.
The FBI believes the shooter — who was not previously known to the FBI — acted alone, with a gun that was purchased by his father.
Searches of the shooter's home and vehicle are complete, according to the FBI, and authorities are analyzing his electronic devices.
Shooting followed "absolute and abysmal failure," expert says
A former police chief who worked event security for two former presidents said the shooting followed an "an absolute and abysmal failure" on the part of the Secret Service to protect Trump. The agency is ultimately responsible for the candidate's safety, said Stan Kephart.
"You don't get to blame other people," said Kephart, who is now a consulting expert on law enforcement event security. "They are under your control."
At least a dozen police officers and sheriff's deputies were assisting the U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania State Police with rally security.
Biden says he shouldn't have said "bullseye" when referring to Trump
President Biden said in an interview with NBC News' Lester Holt that he should not have used the word "bullseye" when referring to how his campaign should treat Trump, but still wants to put the focus squarely on his opponent's record and rhetoric heading into November.
"I was talking about focus on, look, the truth of the matter was, what I guess I was talking about at the time was, there was very little focus on Trump's agenda," Mr. Biden said Monday.
"It was a mistake to use the word," the president said, but added, "I meant focus on him. Focus on what he's doing."
"I'm not the guy that said, I want to be a dictator on day one. I'm not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election. I'm not the guy who said they won't accept the outcome of this election automatically," Mr. Biden said. "You can't only love your country when you win. And so, the focus was on what he's saying and the idea."
Asked if he had done any "soul searching" about his rhetoric, Mr. Biden said, "How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything, because it may incite somebody?"
"I've not engaged in that rhetoric," Mr. Biden insisted. "Now, my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric. He talks about, there'll be a bloodbath if he loses. Talking about how he's going to forgive all the ... I guess suspend the sentence of all those who were arrested and sentenced to go to jail because of what happened in the Capitol."
Sniper who took out gunman fired one round
The Secret Service sniper who neutralized the gunman fired one round and was assisted by a spotter, according to two federal law enforcement officials with knowledge of the response to the shooting.
The sniper who took out the gunman was located on the roof behind and to Trump's to his left — the square furthest to the right in the below map.
FBI continues looking into Trump shooter's background
The man who attempted to assassinate Trump purchased 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun store in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, before arriving at the rally site, according to a law enforcement bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI obtained by CBS News.
The FBI is investigating whether the shooter "was motivated by a violent extremist ideology or had any association with additional plotters or co-conspirators."
Investigators found three suspected improvised explosive devices after the shooting, including two in the shooter's vehicle parked near the rally site, the bulletin reads.
Both agencies advised law enforcement about the potential for retaliatory acts of violence following Saturday's shooting given the online threats of violence after the attempt on Trump's life.
"Some individuals' reactions to politically and socially divisive topics have prompted violence ... and some individuals - including some (Domestic Violent Extremists) - potentially will view political and social tensions as an opportunity to use or promote violence to further their ideological goals," the bulletin reads.
Source: Bomb-making material found in shooter's home, vehicle
A law enforcement source confirmed that authorities found rudimentary bomb-making material at the gunman's residence and in his vehicle. The FBI is analyzing the devices at Quantico.
Trump says assassination attempt had "impact"
The attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump had "an impact," he told ABC News on Monday.
Trump was asked by ABC News' Jonathan Karl if the attempt on his life had changed him.
"I don't like to think about that, but, yes, I think has an impact," he said, adding that he hoped the bandage on his ear would be removed by the time he speaks on Thursday to the Republican National Convention.