Thomas Matthew Crooks: What We Know About the Trump Attacker
The quiet suburb of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is in shock after the FBI identified a local young man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, as the shooter who targeted Donald Trump during a campaign rally, sending ripples of horror across the nation.
On that fateful day, investigators say Crooks, armed with a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle, fired shots at the former president as he spoke to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to two others. Crooks, a 20-year-old kitchen worker, was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper on the scene.
The Incident
Thomas Crooks’ identity was confirmed using DNA and facial recognition technology since he had no ID on him. He hailed from Bethel Park, about 70 km (43 miles) from where the shooting occurred. A 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School, Crooks had been noted for his excellence in math and science, earning a $500 prize. He worked in a nearby nursing home kitchen, where he passed a background check without raising any red flags.
Crooks attended the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) from September 2021 until May 2024, graduating with high honors and an associate degree in engineering science. The college found no records of disciplinary issues or security incidents during his time there. According to state voter records, Crooks was a registered Republican and had donated $15 to the liberal campaign group ActBlue in 2021.
The Shooting Club Connection
Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, a prominent shooting facility near Pittsburgh with over 2,000 members. The club’s owner, Bill Sellitto, and their attorney, Robert S Bootay III, condemned the violence, emphasizing the club’s strict access controls.
Investigators revealed that the rifle used by Crooks was purchased by his father, and it’s still unclear how Crooks accessed it. On the day of the rally, Crooks bought a box of ammunition, and CBS reports indicate that he wore a T-shirt from Demolition Ranch, a popular YouTube channel focused on guns and explosives. Suspicious devices found in his vehicle were secured and investigated by bomb technicians.
Investigating Motive
Authorities are still piecing together Crooks’ motive. His phone and other digital evidence are being analyzed by FBI forensic experts. Despite over 100 interviews and cooperation from his family, including a call to police from his father post-shooting, the reason behind Crooks’ actions remains elusive.
The Community Reacts
Bethel Park residents, including those who knew Crooks, are grappling with the news. Former classmates had mixed recollections of him – some remembered him as a bullied loner, others as a history enthusiast and good student. He was described by some as intelligent but somewhat odd, and his former rifle team members recalled he wasn’t successful in tryouts.
The Victims
The attack claimed the life of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a volunteer fire chief who died protecting his family. Two other men, 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, were injured but are in stable condition. Trump himself was grazed by a bullet but continued his campaign the following day.
Scene of the Crime
Witnesses reported seeing Crooks with a rifle on a rooftop before the shooting. Despite being flagged as suspicious by a bystander, police lost track of him until the shooting began. Footage shows armed officers approaching Crooks’ body after he was neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
This tragic incident has left a community in disbelief and authorities with many questions still to answer. The investigation is ongoing, and the nation watches as more details unfold about this shocking attempt on a former president’s life.
