'Will leave no stone unturned': FBI vows to crack the whip on Trump assassination bid

US investigating agencies are scrambling for concrete answers on whether the suspect who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump acted alone, what motivated the act of political violence, and how he obtained a semi-automatic rifle and materials for explosive devices. FBI Director Christopher Wray on Sunday said that the top investigative agencies' authorities "will leave no stone unturned" and are "committed the full force" in their investigation.

The US investigative agency chief called the shooting an “attack on democracy and democratic process" of the world's oldest democracy. “An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate can only be described as absolutely despicable and will not be tolerated in this country,” Wray said.

The firearm used in the attempted assassination, identified as an AR-style 556 rifle, was legally purchased. Authorities believe the semi-automatic weapon was acquired by the shooter's father, though they are uncertain about how the shooter accessed it or whether he took it without his father’s knowledge.

“These are facts that we'll flesh out as we conduct interviews,” Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office was quoted as saying. The FBI said it is also investigating the Trump rally shooting as an attempted assassination and also an act of "domestic terrorism".

The gunman was not previously known to the FBI and is believed to have acted alone. Authorities have not yet identified any specific motive or made a case for any "threatening" or incriminating content on social media.



During their investigation, the FBI located and safely defused a suspicious device, and they have received over 2,000 tips related to the incident. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate noted an increase in threatening online rhetoric following the attempted assassination, which they are closely monitoring.

The gunman was not previously on the radar screen of the FBI. He’s believed to have acted alone.

The FBI has not yet identified the shooter's ideology, but they are combing through his social media feeds and weapons. So far, they have not found any threatening writing or social media posts.

They said they have located a suspicious device and defused it and have additionaly received more than 2,000 tips that are being investigated.

However, FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said threatening online discourse has been “ticking up” since the attempted assassination.

Meanhwile, President Joe Biden addressed the nation after he received a briefing in the White House Situation Room about the assassination attempt on former President and Republican hopeful Donald Trump. Joe Biden condemned the assassination attempt against Republican rival Donald Trump and said he was grateful Trump was recovering from his wounds in the incident.

In remarks at the White House, Biden said he would address the American people on Sunday night on the need for unity. He said he had ordered a review of what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania. "There is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for ... as a nation - everything," he said

Earlier, President Biden called the attack on his opponent "sick" and talked to Trump to inquire about his wellbeing.

"There's no place in America for this kind of violence, it's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this," Biden said immediately after the incident.

( with input from agencies)