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Authorities have identified the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles from Butler, was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
According to law enforcement, Crooks fired on Trump from a rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter before being neutralized by agents. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and bloody, with attendees rushing to provide first aid to those injured in the gunfire.
The attack resulted in one fatality among the crowd and left two others in critical condition. Trump sustained an injury to the upper part of his ear but was reported to be otherwise fine. He returned to Newark, New Jersey, late Saturday night.
The FBI has initiated an ongoing investigation, involving multiple federal and state agencies, and is encouraging the public to submit any relevant information, including photos or videos from the event.
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and was registered as a Republican voter. Notably, he was eligible to vote for the first time in this year’s presidential election. Records show he had previously donated to a Democratic-aligned political action committee.
Following the shooting, Crooks’ father expressed confusion about the incident, stating he would wait to speak with law enforcement before commenting further. Investigators had to confirm Crooks’ identity through DNA and biometric analysis, as he did not possess identification at the time of the incident.
The investigation into the motives behind Crooks’ actions continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances leading to this shocking event.
