The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the man who opened fire on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting left one audience member dead and two others seriously injured.
Crooks, who worked as a kitchen worker in a local nursing home, was shot dead at the scene by a Secret Service sniper. The FBI confirmed Crooks as the “subject involved” in the assassination attempt on Trump and stated that an active investigation is underway.
Profile of Thomas Matthew Crooks
- Age: 20
- Hometown: Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
- Occupation: Kitchen worker at a local nursing home
- Education: Graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, receiving a $500 prize for math and science.
- Political Affiliation: Registered Republican
- Previous Donations: Donated $15 to liberal campaign group ActBlue in 2021.
- Online Activity: Wore a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a YouTube channel known for its guns and demolition content.
The Incident
Crooks is alleged to have opened fire on Trump from a rooftop outside the rally venue, using an AR-style rifle. The Secret Service sniper who shot Crooks said he had been identified as a suspicious person by police before the shooting began. However, officers lost track of him before he started firing.
Discovery of Explosives
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found in Crooks’ vehicle and home. The FBI has not yet determined Crooks’ motive, but an investigation is ongoing. Suspicious devices found in Crooks’ vehicle included equipment capable of initiating the devices, leading bomb technicians to secure and investigate the scene.
Response and Investigation
Authorities are investigating whether Crooks acted alone or had accomplices. Bethel Park Police conducted a bomb investigation at Crooks’ home, evacuating nearby residents as a precaution. Access to the area remains tightly controlled.
Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, expressed confusion and distress, stating he would wait to speak with law enforcement before commenting further. Investigators are working to determine the extent of planning involved in the attack.
Impact on the Rally
- Victims: One audience member, Corey Comperatore, was killed. Two others were injured. All victims are adult men.
- Trump’s Condition: Trump was shot in the upper part of his right ear. He described feeling the bullet “ripping through the skin” and is reportedly in good spirits.
- Community Response: A GoFundMe page set up by Trump’s campaign has raised over $340,000 for the victims’ families.
Public and Political Reaction
The attempted assassination has sparked calls for unity and resilience. Trump posted on Truth Social, emphasizing the importance of standing united and remaining strong. He expressed gratitude for the quick response by law enforcement.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate the incident, aiming to uncover Crooks’ motives and any potential accomplices. The investigation is expected to last for months as authorities piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
