Following the assassination attempt on former United States President Donald Trump during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, authorities have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.
“Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated in a press release on Sunday, as reported by USA Today.
The FBI emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, urging anyone with information to submit photos or videos online.
During the rally, Trump, the Republican candidate for the November 5, 2024, presidential election, was shot at by Crooks. Secret Service agents swiftly intervened, rushing Trump off the stage and into an SUV.
The shooter and a bystander were killed in the incident, while two spectators sustained critical injuries.
The Secret Service disclosed that Crooks fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside the rally before being neutralized by agents, according to AFP.
Trump later recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, revealed that Crooks had no identification on him at the scene. Consequently, agents had to “run his DNA and get biometric confirmation,” CNN reported.
Here are five key facts about Thomas Crooks:
Educational Background: Crooks graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Political Affiliation: State voter records show that Crooks was a registered Republican, according to Reuters.
Residence Proximity: Crooks lived approximately an hour away from the shooting location in Butler.
Political Donations: At 17, Crooks made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee supporting left-leaning and Democratic politicians, per a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing.
Academic Achievement: Crooks received a $500 “star award” from the National Math and Science Initiative, as noted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
In a statement to CNN, the shooter’s father, Matthew Crooks, expressed his shock and confusion, saying he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would withhold further comments until he had spoken with law enforcement.
John Wolf, a neighbor, remarked on the community's fear and uncertainty, noting that many residents were deeply unsettled by the events.