The recent testimony by FBI Director Christopher Wray provided crucial insights into the investigation of a high-profile shooting incident. The session covered various aspects, from the number of shots fired to the use of a drone by the shooter. Here are the key takeaways from the testimony.
Key Takeaways
- Eight shots fired: The shooter fired at least eight shots, as evidenced by the recovery of eight cartridges on the roof.
- Cartridges matched the rifle: The recovered cartridges were confirmed to match the shooter’s rifle.
- Ongoing investigation: Many aspects of the investigation are still ongoing, including the analysis of the shooter’s autopsy and the exact manner of death.
- Collapsible stock on the weapon: The shooter’s weapon had a collapsible stock, making it less noticeable.
- Drone usage: The shooter used a drone to survey the area before the incident.
Number of Shots Fired
Director Wray confirmed that the shooter fired at least eight shots. This conclusion was drawn from the recovery of eight cartridges on the roof. The cartridges and unspent bullets have been accounted for, and the analysis confirms that they match the shooter’s rifle. The FBI worked closely with the ATF to conduct this analysis.
Consistency of Physical Evidence
The physical evidence, including blood and tissue patterns, is consistent with the witness testimonies. The autopsy is being handled by state authorities and is not yet fully complete. However, so far, nothing remarkable has been found that contradicts the testimonies. The physical evidence at the scene also aligns with the witness accounts.
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Weapon Details
One of the significant revelations was that the shooter’s weapon had a collapsible stock. This feature could explain why it was less noticeable to people before the shooter reached the roof. The first observations of the shooter with the weapon were made when he was already on the roof. There have been no firsthand observations of the shooter with the weapon before he reached the roof.
Drone Usage
The shooter had a drone in his car, which he used to survey the area before the incident. The FBI has been able to reverse-engineer the flight path of the drone. For about 11 minutes, from approximately 3:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the drone was flown about 200 yards away from where former President Trump was scheduled to speak. The drone’s vantage point would have given the shooter a view of the area behind him, almost like a rearview mirror. The FBI believes the shooter was live-streaming the drone footage, although there are no recordings of what he saw during those 11 minutes.
