An unnamed member of the royal family faced a significant security threat prior to an attack on former US President Donald Trump, according to a recent report.
FBI investigators have revealed that Thomas Crooks, 20, who attempted to assassinate Trump, had conducted online searches for a member of the royal family while planning his attack. Crooks was killed by the US Secret Service after firing at Trump during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
According to the investigators, Crooks had researched various high-profile figures, including an unnamed member of the British royal family, as potential targets for assassination.
The shooter had images of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, on his phone, according to National Public Radio, with sources close to the investigation confirming these details to the Daily Mail. Crooks had searched for information about the 42-year-old royal in addition to looking up Donald Trump, President Joe Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
It remains unclear why Crooks was specifically looking up Kate, the only non-American among the individuals found in his internet search history.
The shooter reportedly also searched for Christopher Wray and Merrick Garland.
Investigations have revealed that Crooks had planned the shooting just days in advance. He practiced at a local club's rifle range the day before the attack, as confirmed by lawyers for the Clairton Sportsmen's Club to ABC News.
US law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate Crooks's potential motives, including analyzing the content of two mobile phones he owned.
