Thomas Matthew Crooks: What We Know About the Trump Rally Shooting Suspect
The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the individual responsible for opening fire at Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident resulted in one death and two serious injuries among the attendees. Crooks, a 20-year-old kitchen worker, was shot and killed at the scene by a Secret Service sniper.
In an official statement, the FBI confirmed Crooks’ involvement in the assassination attempt on the former president and announced an ongoing investigation.
Who Was Thomas Crooks?
Thomas Crooks, who was not carrying identification, was identified through DNA analysis, according to the FBI. Crooks hailed from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the rally site. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, receiving a $500 award for excellence in math and science, as reported by a local newspaper. He worked in a nearby nursing home kitchen.
Public records indicate that Crooks was a registered Republican, though he had also made a $15 donation to the liberal campaign group ActBlue in 2021. On the day of the shooting, Crooks was reportedly wearing a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a YouTube channel famous for its gun and demolition content.
Law enforcement officials, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, revealed that the weapon Crooks used belonged to his father, who had purchased it at least six months prior.
Determining His Motive
Investigators are still working to uncover Crooks’ motive for the attack. Kevin Rojek, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, stated that the motive remains unknown and that the investigation could take months.
Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN that he is waiting to speak with law enforcement before making any public statements about his son. Authorities have sealed off the road to the Crooks’ family home in Bethel Park, conducting a bomb investigation and maintaining strict control over access to the area.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
Video footage obtained by TMZ shows Crooks on a rooftop, opening fire during Trump’s speech. The attack resulted in one fatality and two injuries, all male audience members. Their identities have not been disclosed.
Following the attack, Meredith O’Rourke, the national finance director for Trump’s campaign, set up a GoFundMe page to support the families of the injured. The campaign has raised over $340,000.
On Truth Social, Trump recounted that a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear, causing visible bleeding. He expressed gratitude to law enforcement and is reportedly in good spirits, according to a statement from the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Proximity of the Shooter to Trump
Witnesses reported seeing a man, believed to be Crooks, with a rifle on a rooftop before the shooting began. Video footage shows the assailant firing an AR-style rifle. A Secret Service sniper quickly neutralized Crooks, with subsequent footage showing armed officers approaching his body on the rooftop.
The FBI is continuing to investigate the specifics of the firearm and the exact number of shots fired during the incident.
