Trump assassination attempt: Gunman who opened fire had explosives in his car

Twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who on Sunday (July 14) opened fire on former United States (US) president Donald Trump during his re-election campaign rally in Pennsylvania, had explosives in his car, American media reported.

Speaking to the news agency Associated Press, law enforcement officials said that bomb-making materials were found inside Crooks' vehicle that was parked near the campaign event venue in Butler.

Bomb-making materials were also found at Crooks' house, the officials added.

Military has no records of shooter

The Associated Press report said that the range from which Crooks fired and his clothing led to early speculation that the shooter had military experience. However, all branches of the US military searched their records and told the news agency that there was no record of the 20-year-old serving.

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“We’ve confirmed with each of the military service branches that there is no military service affiliation for the suspect with that name or date of birth in any branch, active or reserve component in their respective databases,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

Crooks was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, and had made a $15 donation to a Democratic political action committee at the age of 17. The weapon that Crooks used in the attack was bought by his father.

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The 20-year-old was shot dead by Secret Service agents.

Melania calls Trump's attacker a monster

Reacting to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, his wife, and former first lady Melania called Crooks a monster. 

"When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron's life were on the brink of devastating change. I'm grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband," she said. 

(With inputs from agencies)